Reuven Malther books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Reuven Malther series?"

"There are two books in the Reuven Malther series, published between 1966 and 1969."

Q: "What is the first book in the Reuven Malther series?"

"The first book in the Reuven Malther series is The Chosen, published in 1966."

Q: "What is The Chosen about?"

"The Chosen tells the story of Reuven Malther, a Modern Orthodox Jewish teenager in 1940s Brooklyn, who forms an unlikely friendship with Danny Saunders, the brilliant son of a Hasidic rabbi. The novel follows their relationship as they grow up, deal with their fathers' expectations, and respond to events like the end of World War II and the founding of Israel."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Chosen	1966	Chaim Potok	Buy
2	The Promise	1969	Chaim Potok	Buy

The Reuven Malther series begins with The Chosen (1966), Chaim Potok’s debut novel and his most widely known work. Set in 1940s Brooklyn, it tells the story of two Jewish boys from very different backgrounds: Reuven Malther, raised in a Modern Orthodox household that values secular learning, and Danny Saunders, the son of a Hasidic rebbe who is expected to inherit his father’s leadership role. Their friendship, which starts with a baseball game, becomes the foundation for the novel’s examination of faith, fatherhood, and intellectual freedom.

The Promise (1969) continues Reuven and Danny’s stories into young adulthood. Reuven is studying to become a rabbi and faces a crisis over modern methods of Talmudic scholarship, while Danny pursues psychology. Potok uses the sequel to push his characters into harder territory, testing the ideas and relationships established in the first book. The two novels together offer a detailed and sympathetic portrait of mid-century American Jewish life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Reuven Malther series?

There are two books in the Reuven Malther series, published between 1966 and 1969.

What is the first book in the Reuven Malther series?

The first book in the Reuven Malther series is The Chosen, published in 1966.

What is The Chosen about?

The Chosen tells the story of Reuven Malther, a Modern Orthodox Jewish teenager in 1940s Brooklyn, who forms an unlikely friendship with Danny Saunders, the brilliant son of a Hasidic rabbi. The novel follows their relationship as they grow up, deal with their fathers’ expectations, and respond to events like the end of World War II and the founding of Israel.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order