'The Chosen' by Chaim Potok is his most acclaimed novel, praised for its emotional and intellectual depth. It's a story about friendship, faith, and the challenges of growing up in a strict religious community. 'My Name Is Asher Lev' is another standout, particularly for its exploration of art and identity. Both are highly rated, but 'The Chosen' tends to be the more universally beloved.
I can confidently say that 'The Chosen' stands out as his most highly rated novel. It's a profound exploration of friendship, faith, and the clash between tradition and modernity set in 1940s Brooklyn. The emotional depth and intellectual rigor of the story resonate with readers, making it a timeless classic. The dynamic between Reuven and Danny is unforgettable, and Potok's writing captures the nuances of their relationship with incredible sensitivity.
Another gem is 'My Name Is Asher Lev', which also garners high praise for its vivid portrayal of an artist's struggle against religious and cultural constraints. While 'The Chosen' often tops lists, 'My Name Is Asher Lev' is equally compelling, especially for those drawn to themes of artistic passion and identity. Both books showcase Potok's ability to weave complex narratives that stay with you long after the last page.
If you're asking about Chaim Potok's highest-rated book, 'The Chosen' is the clear winner. It's a story that sticks with you, full of deep conversations and quiet moments that say so much. I read it years ago, and I still think about Danny and Reuven's bond. 'My Name Is Asher Lev' is also amazing, especially if you're into art and the tension between creativity and tradition. But 'The Chosen' is the one that always comes up when people talk about Potok's best work.
'The Chosen' is the one that always gets the spotlight. It's not just the ratings—it's the way the story digs into the hearts of its characters. Reuven and Danny's friendship is so real, and the way Potok writes about their struggles with faith and family is just masterful. 'My Name Is Asher Lev' is another favorite, especially if you love stories about artists fighting for their voice. Both books are brilliant, but 'The Chosen' seems to hit harder for most people.
2025-08-09 06:44:39
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The Test Score Above My Head
Perfect Timing
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A month before the SATs, I, Jenny Reid, could see my score.
Literally. It was just floating right above my head. But there was a catch.
Every time I cracked open a prep book, my score would drop by ten points. But if I skipped a day of school? It jumped right back up by ten.
So, I played the system. For a whole month, I barely lifted a finger. And on the day of the test, the number glowing over my head was a solid 1560.
When the scores finally dropped online… I'd scored a 500.
And the 1560? That was my little sister Patricia's score.
My parents lost it. As punishment, they got me a grueling night-shift job at a local electronics factory. That first night, a bunch of guys I'd never seen before cornered me in the parking lot and beat me half to death.
Fading in and out of consciousness, I heard my sister's voice right by my ear.
"You just had to one-up me, didn't you? Thought you were so smart… but you never figured out I was the one controlling that number over your head."
The truth hit me like a physical blow. The score had been her trick all along.
I opened my eyes—and I was back. One month before the SATs. The number above my head read exactly 1300.
"Hey," my sister said, all fake sweetness. "Want to study together tonight? We can go over the practice tests."
I looked at the stack of papers in my own hands. Without a word, I pulled out my lighter and set them on fire right there in the driveway.
"Exams are coming," I said, watching the flames. "I'm not studying."
My score ticked up to 1310. My sister's face was this perfect mask of disappointment, but the second I turned away, I caught the sly smile she couldn't quite hide.
She had no idea… the real performance, the one I'd been rehearsing just for her, was finally about to begin.
Mom and Dad have given me all their love. They've decorated a princess bedroom for me, where unlimited Barbie dolls await me there.
Since I love bathing a lot, they've also sunk in a huge amount of money just to custom-make a bathtub for me.
They keep telling my younger sister, Olivia Grant, to protect me forever.
But when Olivia and I are taking a bath together, she accidentally chokes on the bathwater.
That's when Mom goes nuts. She strangles me violently while roaring at me, "We thought you'd learn to love your sister as long as we treated you well! Who would've thought that you're an ingrate who tried to drown her?"
I can only shake my head in alarm. But Mom quickly shoves me into the washing machine.
"You like bathing that much, don't you? Well, you can bathe to your heart's content!"
After that, Mom and Dad take Olivia out to play. What they fail to notice is that they've accidentally turned on the washing machine.
Water soon fills the chamber, and yet I can't climb out of the washing machine at all.
As I feel myself tumbling around with the dirty laundry, I can only open my eyes with great difficulty as I look at my parents, who have returned home once again.
I don't want to take a bath anymore. Can Mom and Dad please stop getting mad at me?
As Mom and Dad arrive at the company to hand it over to their biological son, Nick Yeager, I throw myself off the 30th floor.
Blood splatters everywhere, and the crowd scatters in panic. Mom and Dad also scream in horror at the sight.
But the moment they realize the dead person is me, the fear drains from their faces, replaced by nothing but disgust.
"Back then, we brought home the wrong baby, so Nathan got to enjoy 20 years of wealth and privilege for nothing. Instead of being grateful to us for raising him, he kept making things hard for Nick after we acknowledged him and brought him home. And now he's killed himself at the office? What an ungrateful bastard!"
The onlookers curse at me for having no conscience, saying that even in death, I won't let the Yeager family have a moment's peace.
But in the end, no one expects Dad, who despises me more than anyone else, to hold my urn in his arms and beg me to come back with tears streaming down his face.
My father, Daniel Jacobson, teams up with the elders in my family to launch the Family app. Every child's behavior is converted into points, and those points determine who inherits the family's wealth.
As the least favored daughter in the family, I am one of the first people forced to use it.
"You earn one point for greeting your parents. Massaging shoulders or washing feet gives you ten points. Handing over your entire paycheck gets you 1,000 points. This is my original digital system for measuring good behavior."
If I dare complain even once, or if I rank last on the scoreboard, Dad humiliates me relentlessly in the family group chat. He even forces me to kneel and wash the feet of whoever has the highest score as an apology.
He looks at my hands that are red and scalded from the hot water and sighs.
Then, his expression turns resolute again as he says, "I know it hurts now, but this is for your own good. A rough diamond has to be cut and polished before it can sparkle. I'm helping to smooth away your rough edges so your future will be smoother.
"The points system is my greatest achievement. It's the deepest expression of a father's love."
Today is Independence Day. It's also our family's annual scoreboard finalizing day.
Dad invites all our relatives over. In front of everyone, he plans to announce that I, the child who ranks last, will be disowned. He wants everyone to see what happens to anyone who dares challenge his authority.
"I'm doing this for the good of our family. Without rules, there can be no order. And without a strict upbringing, you won't build up the perfect character. One day, you'll understand my good intentions."
But, Dad...
I have already ended my own life by overdosing on some medicine. Right now, my lifeless body lies cold in the room upstairs, waiting for you to uncover it with your own hands.
When the SAT scores are out, I've scored 400 out of 1600.
That's because I never wrote anything on my exam papers.
My mom goes crazy, whereas my younger sister, Melinda Bolton, bursts into tears. But I just laugh at them instead.
In my previous life, Melinda had formed a pact with the score-swapping system. That was how she swapped our SAT scores.
She became the top scorer that all prestigious universities fought to recruit. I, the valedictorian of my year, not only got into a trade school, but I also got expelled from my previous high school.
Melinda had the gall to comfort me. "Didn't you call yourself a genius, Melissa? Trade schools are very popular right now. In the future, you'll secure a job at a factory out there!"
In this life, I spend my exam hours sleeping in my seat the whole time.
Melinda wants to swap her scores, right? Then, let's do it properly!
I'm the only son of my parents, who are the richest people in the country. Yet, they decide to raise me while giving me as little money as possible.
In order to toughen me up, they decide to only give me five thousand dollars per year.
"Two thousand dollars is for college tuition, and the remaining three thousand dollars is for your living costs and accommodation. If you want to stay at home, you'll need to pay rent—500 dollars a day. If you don't have the money, you can write an IOU."
But I end up getting robbed that night, leaving me penniless.
In order to be able to continue my college studies, I can only ask my parents for money. Of course, they turn me down immediately.
"You actually learned how to lie just to swindle more money from us, eh? Since you refuse to learn your lesson, your allowance for next year will be cut in half."
My parents refuse to listen to my explanation and insist on kicking me out. So, I can only work three jobs per day, allowing me to save up two thousand dollars. But the moment I save the money in my account, it gets frozen instantly.
That's when my parents begin mocking me.
"And here you are, claiming that you didn't lie to us! Where did you get the tuition fees from, then? We shall confiscate the money as a form of punishment. You can use the rest of your money for your studies."
Amid my despair, I see the live comments streaking before my eyes.
"The male lead's parents want him to realize that it isn't easy living out there. When they hired the thugs to rob him blind, their hearts ached so much for him that they cried."
"I hope that the male lead can grow up as soon as possible. That way, the misunderstanding will get resolved, and the family of three can continue living happily ever after."
But this time, the comments can no longer console me.
I place the house keys on the porch quietly before turning on my heel and walking away.
I don't want these parents of mine anymore.
'The Chosen' stands out as his most iconic novel. It's a profound exploration of friendship, faith, and cultural identity set in Brooklyn during the 1940s. The story revolves around two Jewish boys, Reuven and Danny, who come from very different religious backgrounds. Their bond is tested by personal and societal pressures, making it a deeply moving read. The way Potok weaves themes of tradition and modernity resonates with anyone who's ever felt torn between two worlds. I couldn't put it down once I started, and it left me thinking about my own beliefs long after I finished.
I understand the struggle of finding free online copies. While his books aren't typically available for free due to copyright laws, there are some legal avenues to explore. Many public libraries offer digital lending services through apps like Libby or OverDrive, where you can borrow 'The Chosen' or 'My Name Is Asher Lev' for free with a library card. Some universities also provide access to digital libraries for students.
Project Gutenberg occasionally has older, public domain works, but Potok's novels are too recent. I'd recommend checking archive.org's Open Library section, which sometimes has borrowable digital copies. If you're low on funds, secondhand bookstores or library sales often have cheap physical copies too.
I've been a huge fan of Chaim Potok's works for years, and it's always exciting to see great literature adapted for the screen. From what I know, only one of his novels has been made into a movie: 'The Chosen.' It was released in 1981 and directed by Jeremy Kagan. The film beautifully captures the deep friendship between two Jewish boys growing up in Brooklyn during WWII, staying true to the novel's emotional and intellectual depth. While 'My Name Is Asher Lev' and 'The Promise' are also notable works by Potok, they haven't gotten the Hollywood treatment yet. I wish more of his books were adapted—they'd make such compelling films!
his books have been published by some of the most respected names in the industry. The one that stands out the most is Alfred A. Knopf, which released many of his major novels, including 'The Chosen' and 'My Name Is Asher Lev.' These books are masterpieces that delve deep into Jewish identity and the clash between tradition and modernity. Another publisher is Fawcett Crest, which handled some of his later works like 'The Book of Lights.' Each of these publishers has played a crucial role in bringing Potok's profound stories to readers worldwide.