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Summary: One man's powerful struggle for identity
Review: "Lovesong" fits into the genre of African American autobiographical narratives, but it explores not only the author's identity as a black man, but also what he inherited from his white great grandfather. In this case, it was the spiritual heritage of Judaism. His struggles to reconcile his emerging knowledge of himself as a Jew with what the black community, including his father, a Methodist minister, expected and hoped from him is the theme of the book. I found the story of his spiritual awakening as good as any other I've read. His discussion of his identification with all things Jewish, including his support of Israel, is very honest and thought-provoking and relates to his conversion in a way that brought a new perspective to the issue to me. I don't know any other book like this. I think it is of value for anyone interested in spiritual literature, the complexity of race relations in the United States, or an insider's (soon to be an outsider) look at the culture of a Department of African American studies in a major U.S. university.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: A total surprise! From laughter to tears and back within a few pages. This is the story of a one-time black activist who becomes a Jew, and in the process discovers a bit of Jewish ancestry. Beautifully written (Julius Lester is, among other things, an acclaimed children's author) and very moving, this book has delighted everyone to whom I've lent or given it. We're on our third or fourth copy now...
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Summary: For the mourner
Review: I read this after I lost my father. This book was oddly comforting and beautifully written.
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Summary: he bares his heart
Review: I thought this book was excellent. When I saw this book in the library, I didn't even realize that he is the author of one of my favorite books-To be a slave. I picked up the book because I'm a comparative religion major and I learn best from autobiographies and memoirs-they make me feels like I'm experiancing the religion first hand. Though I was able to reinforce what I knew about Judaism with a visual picture from his words, I was even more impressed with his writing style. I usually read books that will help towards my educational goal only. But this book is a good read, just for its writing style alone. The way he describes his experiances, you get a clear understanding of what he's saying and feel like you know him and converted to Judaism yourself. After reading, I had an urge to visit a synagogue and a trappist monastery ( 2 places he beautifully describes in the book) and I will. I just finished the book today (Wed). I started the book on Friday night and with 2 kids and alot of work managed to finish it so quickly. I don't have spare time to write reviews but I felt compelled to write this one. I have respect for people who reveal themselves so candidly: those who use the pen to strip themselves of a false image. I recommend this to anyone interested in religion especially writers.
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Summary: he bares his heart
Review: Lester explores writes a revealing and deeply personal memoir of his spiritual searching and arrival at the Jewish faith. I west extremely moved by his candor as he describes his efforts to harmonize the various facets of his identity, as well as his honesty about the pitfalls he faced on the way. Jews believe that those who choose judaism are not converting, but comming home. Lester's work is wonderful in that it lets the reader join him on this home coming. He willingly reveals the pain and the joy of this personal awakening. A wonderful read for anyone who struggles with faith and a great message that there can be light at the end of that tunnel.
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Summary: Wonderful Personal Journey
Review: Lester explores writes a revealing and deeply personal memoir of his spiritual searching and arrival at the Jewish faith. I west extremely moved by his candor as he describes his efforts to harmonize the various facets of his identity, as well as his honesty about the pitfalls he faced on the way. Jews believe that those who choose judaism are not converting, but comming home. Lester's work is wonderful in that it lets the reader join him on this home coming. He willingly reveals the pain and the joy of this personal awakening. A wonderful read for anyone who struggles with faith and a great message that there can be light at the end of that tunnel.
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Summary: A remarkable work
Review: Lester writes a remarkable account of his spiritual journey through life, culminating in his conversion to Judaism. Many of us are familiar with Lester's activism in the civil rights movement and with his children's books. I did not realize he was Jewish until I read this book, but he carries us along with him as he comes to terms with his spirituality. His journey has a compelling quality, as though he were called to his new faith by God, which adds an interesting inevitability to a sometimes circuitous tale. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Lester, African-American or Judaic studies, or well-written autobiographies.
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Summary: Great writer, clear thinker
Review: Mr. Lester is a great writer, and has the gift of objectivity about himself and his family, which is rare. His search for the way to connect to G'd is painfully slow, but joyful in its culmination.
Rating:
Summary: Great writer, clear thinker
Review: Mr. Lester is a great writer, and has the gift of objectivity about himself and his family, which is rare. His search for the way to connect to G'd is painfully slow, but joyful in its culmination.
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Summary: Fascinating Journey
Review: This book is written as a spiritual journey. It is the journey of a militant black of the Civil Rights Movement from his stand as a militant black through the events that changed his life and his thoughts until he became Jewish. It is an incredible statement, showing how one person can go one direction while those with whom he had previously identified go in the exact opposite -- for while the author converted to Judaism, those blacks with whom he identified in the Civil Rights Movement became anti-Semitic to the point that the author actually fears them.
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