Customer Reviews

A Seat At The Table: A Novel of Forbidden Choices

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On the one hand, everything the Amazon editorial review says is completely true: the novel is the story of Elisha, a young Chassidic man torn between the traditions he grew up with and a fascination with an outside world filled with possibilities.

But, it's not really about that at all. This is a book about questions. What is the value of tradition? Can one be spiritual without being religious? What is responsibility? Duty? How does one know if they love unselfishly? And how does one express love?

The novel doesn't pretend to have the answers to any of these questions, but instead wisely recognizes that the answer is going to be different for different readers. Instead, it contents itself to posing the question in a beautiful, touching way.

I think this book will be enjoyed by everyone. For the novel lover to the philosophy student; from the Talmudic scholar to the atheist; this book has something for everyone.

I thought that A Seat At The Table was a terrific read. It is personal without being sentimental, it gives an honest picture of the conflict that any intelligent and curious young person might be exposed to growing up. It's about Chassidism, but it might just as well be about any other religious setting with strict rules of observance and little tolerance for deviating souls. The relationship between father and son is deep and touching, and it shows the profound love and generosity of mind of the father towards his "erring" son. The ending is beautiful, as it completes the cycle of a son who feels he needs to break out but deep down knows that the ties to the safety of his home, his father, will never be severed.

A Seat at the Table is my idea of an ideal book in that it is both substantial and a great read. The main character's conflict between his love for his father and his straining at the confines of his community is portrayed with warmth and charm. The book creates an honest and totally believable portrait of the Brooklyn Chassidic world. I couldn't put it down.

I read this book slowly, savoring each page, because I didn't want it to end. It is so hard to find books like this, which deal with important questions every person who has grown up has dealt with: to what degree and in what form one adopts the beliefs of one's beloved parents, family and friends. This book gives an interesting, respectful and loving look inside the Chassidic community. The Chassidic stories draw a fascinating picture of life in the Galician shtetls from whence the Chassidim - and many other Jewish people now living in the West, like myself - came. I am grateful to the author for writing this unique and valuable book.

Chaim Potok move over. Joshua Halberstam provides a beautifully written, loving and fascinating look into the life of a young man coming of age in a Chassidic family. I started the book on Friday and couldn't put it down until I was finished with it on Saturday afternoon. So many times, when I think of this type of ultra-religious family, I think of a stern and judgmental patriarch. Instead, Halmerstam paints of picture of a father who is kind and understanding while remaining true to his own values and principles. Despite his son's desire to delve into areas that his father believes are sinful, he promises that there will always be a seat at the table for his first born. For anyone who has ever wondered what is behind the long black coats and black beards--this is the story for you.

We know so little about the Chasidim. the story had a predictable ending, but the setting was interesting, and I can only imagine the conflict a person must feel, leaving the "fold".

A Seat At The Table: A Novel of Forbidden Choices

This is a wonderful book. It is a beautifully written account of a young Chassidic man's search for his own identity. Every page is interesting and completely compelling. Halberstam is a superb storyteller.

Although this is a story of a Chassidic young man,Elisha,who chooses to follow along a new and challenging path, it is written with much love for his family and their lifestyle, and thus could be the tale of many young people today in search of themselves. Along the way we are given a warm, loving glimpse of Chassidism-without bitterness or hate (as in many other novels of this genre)and in the end, we can respect Elisha's decisions. In addition, the delightful Chassidic tales interspersed throughout the novel add an uplifting touch to this most enjoyable reading experience.

I read this book for our temple book club. The consensus was that people liked the book, they didn't love it. I actually really enjoyed it. The book is a page turner and a fascinating look at Chasidic life in NYC.

This little book took me about an hour and a half to read. It is a pleasant, though not extremely deep, story of a young man born into Hasidic Judaism who moves towards a more secular life while trying to get along with his family.