At the beginning of the novel Asher Lev introduces himself as "the Asher Lev," the observant Jew who has become famous for painting two crucifixions. Christians view his paintings, known together as the Brooklyn Crucifixion, as a betrayal by Asher's fellow Jews and a mockery of Christianity. My Name Is Asher Lev traces Asher's life up to his mid-twenties. Asher is artistic from childhood. His mother, Rivkeh, serves as both playmate and model for his drawings. Whenever she feels sad, Rivkeh encourages him to draw "pretty things." Asher's talent is first noticed by his Uncle Yitzchok and a store clerk named Yudel Krinsky, who is a refugee from Siberia. Aryeh, Asher's father, discourages Asher's art, saying that drawing is a foolish waste of time. When Asher is six, his mother is injured in a car accident.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 1,595 words. This
study guide contains 14,466 words (approx. 48 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our My Name Is Asher Lev Access Pass.
