The Chosen

I have just recently finished The Chosen, an interesting book about Reuven Malter, a very religious and Jewish child growing up in New York, who explores the culture of the Hasidim contrary to his own religious beliefs. ( A recap of my last blog about this book: Reuven was hit in the eye with a baseball by Danny Saunders, causing him to be hospitalized for some time. There, he befriends a blind child by the name of Billy. Reuven is mad and Danny and criticizes him for his religious beliefs. However, when Reuven uncovers his father has a secret relationship with Danny, and that Danny is kind and thoughtful, he befriends him.) Reuven and Danny spend lots of time together exploring New York City, and Reuven goes through immense changes in character, from an isolated child who thinks little of others, to a more thoughtful, accepting, and deep person. During this time, Reuven communicates with Billy's dad, only to learn Billy's operation was unsuccessful, and that they moved him to Albany. Reuven sits on his balcany, stunned. He is unsure of the world around him, unsure of God's will. Danny and Reuven continue to study and read at the library together. Roosevelt dies, and Reuven grieves, wondering where God is. The War in Europe ends too, but the celebration is halted when they learn of the concentration camps. Reuven and Danny part ways for a while on account of David Malter's beliefs, which hurts Reuven immensely. Danny and Reuven attend college, and after two years, they discuss their relationship again. The book ends oddly with the revealing of the fact Danny will not become a rabbi like Reuven. Overall, I really liked the book, but I found the ending to be unsatisfying.