Customer Reviews

Acts of Faith

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A few weeks ago I was looking for an old book and stumbled across ACTS OF FAITH. It was a book that I read years ago, but perused it again. Even those who love the book will have to admit it is a canned, predictable story. Timothy is a stereotypical Irish potential urchin who later becomes a priest. As a youth he comes into contact with a Hassidic Jewish family. He befriends the son who is about the same age and falls in love with a young woman in the family named Deborah. Tim and Deborah are separated, meet one day and engage in a passionate moment that surprise: results in a pregnancy. Many years later, Tim meets his love child. Meanwhile Daniel, who is expected to follow in his father's footsteps as a Rabbi, but discovers he has to do so in his own way. Very Neil Diamond JAZZ SINGER, if you ask me.

The first time I read the book, I could not put it down. Yes I knew what would happen. What else could be expected from the writer who penned LOVE STORY which contains what may be the gaggiest line in the English language "love means never having to say you're sorry?" Well, just as LOVE STORY had something that compelled readers and moviegoers alike, ACTS OF FAITH does too. Segal knows his Catholicism and his male lead character of Timothy Hogan is not cliché. Deborah, the female lead character has her complexities as well. The characters are so compelling they move the plot, and somehow it all becomes believable. The characters do struggle with life, love, family conflict and faith, issues we all deal with in one way or another.

This is the perfect "waste time" book. It is just taxing enough for a vacation. It is easy enough to read on a hectic subway train or bus while commuting to work. It can make a sick day from work a bit easier to take. It's just an enjoyable read-nothing all that sophisticated but certainly not a waste of time.

Even though I sort of expected what would happen in some parts of the book, other parts were sooo surprising that I was just blown away... I really liked this book especially becuase I am Jewish and Segal's portrayal of Judaism was very accurate. The insight I recieved to other religions was great. I loved it and reccomend it highly...

Hi, everybody! Wow, this book was one of those inspiring ones. History, traditions, love, courage, will -- all seen through the prizm of communication of children with parents. FAITH is different for everyone. Erich Seagal let readers see how different people imagine faith. Even those who do not believe in any POWER(s), unconsciously act by faith and with faith. Very delightful book.

I'll be howled down by many of the other reviewers, but I found Acts of Faith to be an interesting read, touching heavily on both the Jewish and Catholic religions. Daniel is the only son of one of the most highly regarded Rabbis in the US, a direct descendant of a line of Orthodox Jews, and the expected next leader of this congregation. Timothy is a typical New York street urchin, bastard son of a mentally ill woman and is being raised by his aunt and uncle. Timothy is employed by the Rabbi to perform the Sabbath eve tasks of switching off the lights etc. which cannot be performed by the Jewish faithful, and so meets Daniel and his sister Deborah, a devout and pious girl who is destined to become the young wife of a Rabbi. The children grow up with their lives intermittently intertwining, to form the nucleus of a somewhat predictable, but nonetheless enjoyable, story of conflicting religions, love and much soul searching in young people who are torn between various religious traditions and the very human aspects of love and family.

I disliked the campiness of Love Story, was a bit bored by The Class, and was depressed by Oliver's Story. Only Love made me want to give this novel a chance, and I'm glad I did. This is a book I read over and over. Rarely, if ever, does one find both love and characters so pure at heart and by action. Finally, here is a romance where I understand what the protagonists love about each other. Daniel could have been left out of the story, though - I'm not sure why a character so incidental to the overall plot was given sections from his point of view.

This is one of the best novels of all times. The theme is religion in its myriad hues. And, there is love, that ubiquitous synonym for Erich Segal. What I admire is the non-judgmental tone Segal adopts when dealing with the dictates of religion. Tim thinks he wants to be the pope till apocalypse strikes him. Dan rejects being a rabbi when he is expected to. But chooses to be one when he wants to. Religion and choices - what an interesting combo! The father-son reunion is vintage Segal, reminiscent of Man, Woman and Child. Acts of Faith definitely makes you think and profoundly, too.

All of the characters appear to be stereotypical, and the plot is predictable, after the first 50 pages. It was a good read never the less, but not a very good novel.

Erich Segal's "Love Story" was decent enough; his "The Class" was tolerable, on a light reading level. But this book is really, really unfortunate. I can see where the author lifts plot elements and themes (e.g., "The Orthodox Jew Raised to Be a Rabbi But Who Turns to a Forbidden Field" and "Forbidden Love Between a Catholic Priest and A Really, REALLY Inappropriate Woman" ) from the much more talented authors Chaim Potok ("The Chosen") and Colleen McCullough ("The Thorn Birds")... among others. The characters in "Acts of Faith" are thinly sketched, and--as mentioned previously by the 17 year old reader from Brooklyn--their religion and the Taboos Inherent Within merely serve as a vehicle for Forbidden Love, A Turning Away From the Old Way, etc. etc. The other authors I mentioned took the time to develop their characters and direct them in such a way that you can believe that what happened in their lives...happened. I got no such feeling here, especially having read much better books along similar lines. If you want a more incisive view of Jewish Orthodoxy AND better character/plot development, read Potok (and I also suggest Herman Wouk and Leon Uris, though they tend to write more about secular Jews). Forbidden love involving Catholics/Catholic priests? Look up Ms. McCullough. But don't waste your time here.

The book was a gift for an elderly relative. It arrived quickly and was in great condition even though listed as used. The large type really helps and she has enjoyed the book a great deal. Thanks.

When I first read this book 13 years ago, I thought it was great. Re-reading it with a more mature and educated mind, I found it insulting.

First, the eternal burning love between Deborah and Tim has almost no basis for the power it has over them. A few late-night conversations and their love spans time and distance? Give me a break.

Then, there's the Catholicism. I can't speak to the authenticity of the Judaism in the book, but as a Catholic journalist, I can speak with some authority on that.

The idea that a man can go from priest to monsignor to ARCHBISHOP in 15 years, and before age 40 is insulting. Currently, the youngest U.S. bishop was ordained at age 47. Pope John II was ordained a bishop at age 38.

Far-fetched ideas aside, Segal's writing is definitely easy to read, until he tries to show us how well he researched this book, with his overly frequent italicized used of Yiddish, Hebrew and Latin.

Looking for an intelligent, realistic love story? Stay away from Segal's novels and check out Audrey Niffeneger's "The Time-Traveler's Wife"; Sue Monk Kidd's "The Secret Life of Bees"; or Anita Shreve's "All He Ever Wanted."