What do you think?
Rate this book
The Evil Inclination
"An exhilarating, spellbinding tale ... that will surprise, astonish and move you deeply."
- Joseph Telushkin , best-selling author of Words That Hurt, Words That Heal
"A captivating love story pitting passion against faith ... an irresistible read..."
- Judith Shulevitz , best-selling author of The Sabbath World
"A riveting - and surprising - book about family, faith, lust, heresy, temptation, wisdom and God."
- Ari Goldman , Professor and author of the best-selling The Search for God at Harvard .
Lev Levitski, devoted son and upright young man, walks the path of Jewish observance without giving it a second thought. But one day in college, Lev encounters Angela Pizatto, a dark-haired knockout, and suddenly, what used to mean everything to him is no longer enough.
Angela pulls Lev from a prudish existence into a passionate romance that must remain a secret because she is Catholic and he is Jewish. As the young lovers gallivant throughout Brooklyn, and as their devotion to each other builds, they realize that they are headed toward a pivotal crossroad. Can they possibly overcome the seemingly insurmountable differences in their backgrounds? It is a question they must confront if they are ever to have a shared future.
Layered into this love story are themes about identity and how desire-what traditional Judaism calls the "evil inclination"-can define who we think we are. It's a novel not only about the burdens of tradition clashing with the power of passion, but also about the struggle to understand how the people we fall for can change us in profound and unexpected ways.
- Joseph Telushkin , best-selling author of Words That Hurt, Words That Heal
"A captivating love story pitting passion against faith ... an irresistible read..."
- Judith Shulevitz , best-selling author of The Sabbath World
"A riveting - and surprising - book about family, faith, lust, heresy, temptation, wisdom and God."
- Ari Goldman , Professor and author of the best-selling The Search for God at Harvard .
Lev Levitski, devoted son and upright young man, walks the path of Jewish observance without giving it a second thought. But one day in college, Lev encounters Angela Pizatto, a dark-haired knockout, and suddenly, what used to mean everything to him is no longer enough.
Angela pulls Lev from a prudish existence into a passionate romance that must remain a secret because she is Catholic and he is Jewish. As the young lovers gallivant throughout Brooklyn, and as their devotion to each other builds, they realize that they are headed toward a pivotal crossroad. Can they possibly overcome the seemingly insurmountable differences in their backgrounds? It is a question they must confront if they are ever to have a shared future.
Layered into this love story are themes about identity and how desire-what traditional Judaism calls the "evil inclination"-can define who we think we are. It's a novel not only about the burdens of tradition clashing with the power of passion, but also about the struggle to understand how the people we fall for can change us in profound and unexpected ways.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
About the author
Daniel Victor
1 book6 followersDaniel Victor specializes in writing Jewish-themed fiction and has written three novels, two novellas and a collection of short fiction. The Evil Inclination is his first published novel. He practiced law for more than forty years, concentrating on international media transactions (including fifteen years as a senior executive for Sesame Street). He is a father and grandfather, and lives in New York City with his wife, Ester Fuchs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 27, 2024
A writer is born,
Of course that's not the case because this isn't the first book he's written, but it is, I think, his first book launched into the world. So, for me, yes, a new star. I say that because he has created people, people who didn't exist before, and now they do. And like the joke, he did it with his own dust*. Reminds me of To the End of the Land.
The characters develop and grow. Talents emerge. Character develops. With time we see aspects not previously visible. That reminds me of The Shipping News.
For the male protagonist, we see who his family is, which somehow is part of his emergence. We see him as though from the inside and see his family through his eyes.
The premise of this story is that an Orthodox Jewish boy, meaning young man, falls for an Italian Catholic girl. Mayhem ensues. Setting, New York, 2002.
This book has a lot of sex in it. If that makes the book a no-no for some readers, then so be it. But it's part of the characters and not titillation.
"The evil inclination" is a Talmudic conception of sexual attraction. I used to rail against the negativity since in psychology, and in the modern world, we consider the sex urge a healthy part of life, not an evil. But the reference is to the trouble sexual attraction can cause. And we know that's true, having seen figures both big and small felled. The evil inclination does not discriminate.
I guess, too, this is reminiscent of the Greek concept of moderation. Hmm. Something to think about.
This book led me to understand why the Rabbis -- capitalized because of referring to Talmudic sages of yore -- characterized it that way: evil inclination. Certainly it's a challenge to master. Like an unbreakable horse, maybe.
At first I struggled with the book's ending.
Does the genre tragicomedy apply?
I didn't think so but reconsidered. For the male protagonist, his path, his way is a part of him. He's a part of his world, and his world is in him. It's not like the modern concept of "religion," according to which we might plug in one or another variety.
If tragicomedy means neither a tragedy with a few comic parts, nor a comedy with a few tragic parts, if a tragicomedy is both completely comic and completely tragic throughout, then yes, I think so. Like The Good Lord Bird (about the abolitionist John Brown).
4 1/2 stars rounded up
*I'm talking about the joke where the scientist says to God that he's solved the riddle of how to create life. To demonstrate, he leans down and picks up a handful of dust. And God says, "Get your own dust."
Of course that's not the case because this isn't the first book he's written, but it is, I think, his first book launched into the world. So, for me, yes, a new star. I say that because he has created people, people who didn't exist before, and now they do. And like the joke, he did it with his own dust*. Reminds me of To the End of the Land.
The characters develop and grow. Talents emerge. Character develops. With time we see aspects not previously visible. That reminds me of The Shipping News.
For the male protagonist, we see who his family is, which somehow is part of his emergence. We see him as though from the inside and see his family through his eyes.
The premise of this story is that an Orthodox Jewish boy, meaning young man, falls for an Italian Catholic girl. Mayhem ensues. Setting, New York, 2002.
This book has a lot of sex in it. If that makes the book a no-no for some readers, then so be it. But it's part of the characters and not titillation.
"The evil inclination" is a Talmudic conception of sexual attraction. I used to rail against the negativity since in psychology, and in the modern world, we consider the sex urge a healthy part of life, not an evil. But the reference is to the trouble sexual attraction can cause. And we know that's true, having seen figures both big and small felled. The evil inclination does not discriminate.
I guess, too, this is reminiscent of the Greek concept of moderation. Hmm. Something to think about.
This book led me to understand why the Rabbis -- capitalized because of referring to Talmudic sages of yore -- characterized it that way: evil inclination. Certainly it's a challenge to master. Like an unbreakable horse, maybe.
At first I struggled with the book's ending.
Does the genre tragicomedy apply?
I didn't think so but reconsidered. For the male protagonist, his path, his way is a part of him. He's a part of his world, and his world is in him. It's not like the modern concept of "religion," according to which we might plug in one or another variety.
If tragicomedy means neither a tragedy with a few comic parts, nor a comedy with a few tragic parts, if a tragicomedy is both completely comic and completely tragic throughout, then yes, I think so. Like The Good Lord Bird (about the abolitionist John Brown).
4 1/2 stars rounded up
*I'm talking about the joke where the scientist says to God that he's solved the riddle of how to create life. To demonstrate, he leans down and picks up a handful of dust. And God says, "Get your own dust."
March 26, 2024
Two people struggle with questions of love and faith in Victor’s remarkable latest novel. Lev Levitski, a devout and upright young man, has always followed the path of Jewish observance without question. But when he meets Angela Pizatto, a stunning Catholic girl, he is suddenly faced with a dilemma – can their forbidden love withstand the cultural and religious barriers between them? As they embark on a secret romance throughout Brooklyn, their devotion to each other grows stronger, but so does the realization that they may never be able to bridge their differences. Will Lev and Angela’s love conquer all, or will it ultimately tear them apart? The answer lies at the crossroads where faith and love collide.
This compelling novel unfolds on multiple layers, delving into theological, personal, and cultural dimensions with remarkable depth. Victor masterfully depicts Lev’s inner turmoil as he grapples with the clash between his faith and his love for Angela. Lev’s struggle feels palpably authentic, his emotions raw and conflicted.
Meanwhile, Angela emerges as a vibrant and assertive character, her personality strikingly real and perfectly complementing Lev’s indecisiveness. Unlike Lev, Angela navigates life with unwavering conviction, whether it be in matters of love or faith. Her journey away from her Catholic upbringing toward a new spiritual orientation stands in stark contrast to Lev’s upbringing in an orthodox Jewish household.
As the narrative unfolds, Lev’s profound realization about his own ‘derech’ adds a poignant layer of understanding for the reader. Structured around a pattern of moral growth through disappointment, Lev’s experience leads him to question the very belief system that once shaped his morals. Through a deftly executed third-person narration, the trials faced by Lev and Angela prompt profound reflections on faith, temptation, and religious identity. Embedded within the protagonists’ personal struggles is a broader societal interrogation on the role of faith in marriage and happiness.
The novel provocatively asks when individuals confront the crossroads of love and faith, are they prepared for the challenges that lie ahead? Can they reconcile the seemingly insurmountable differences in their backgrounds and beliefs? These questions are seamlessly interwoven into Lev and Angela’s quest for happiness and fulfillment, highlighting the transformative power of dismantling and reconstructing one’s identity. Through the couple’s journey, the novel illuminates the liberating potential of embracing change and forging a path that transcends the confines of tradition and expectation.
A deep exploration of the profound and unexpected ways in which the people we love can shape and redefine our lives.
This compelling novel unfolds on multiple layers, delving into theological, personal, and cultural dimensions with remarkable depth. Victor masterfully depicts Lev’s inner turmoil as he grapples with the clash between his faith and his love for Angela. Lev’s struggle feels palpably authentic, his emotions raw and conflicted.
Meanwhile, Angela emerges as a vibrant and assertive character, her personality strikingly real and perfectly complementing Lev’s indecisiveness. Unlike Lev, Angela navigates life with unwavering conviction, whether it be in matters of love or faith. Her journey away from her Catholic upbringing toward a new spiritual orientation stands in stark contrast to Lev’s upbringing in an orthodox Jewish household.
As the narrative unfolds, Lev’s profound realization about his own ‘derech’ adds a poignant layer of understanding for the reader. Structured around a pattern of moral growth through disappointment, Lev’s experience leads him to question the very belief system that once shaped his morals. Through a deftly executed third-person narration, the trials faced by Lev and Angela prompt profound reflections on faith, temptation, and religious identity. Embedded within the protagonists’ personal struggles is a broader societal interrogation on the role of faith in marriage and happiness.
The novel provocatively asks when individuals confront the crossroads of love and faith, are they prepared for the challenges that lie ahead? Can they reconcile the seemingly insurmountable differences in their backgrounds and beliefs? These questions are seamlessly interwoven into Lev and Angela’s quest for happiness and fulfillment, highlighting the transformative power of dismantling and reconstructing one’s identity. Through the couple’s journey, the novel illuminates the liberating potential of embracing change and forging a path that transcends the confines of tradition and expectation.
A deep exploration of the profound and unexpected ways in which the people we love can shape and redefine our lives.
June 30, 2023
This is one of the best books I've read in the past few years. I couldn't put it down. It's a novel with complex three dimension characters who you care about. They're dealing with issues of love, sex, passion, religion, family and how to live one's life. Can't get any better than that. I highly recommend this book for book groups. There is so much to talk about, and it's page turner with an ending that will surprise you.
Beryl
Beryl
November 26, 2023
An observant Jew becomes enthralled with a spirited Catholic. Both are questioning their faith. I enjoyed their banter as they tried to navigate their differences and the seeming contradiction of the love for each other and their devotion and love of God.
January 29, 2024
“The Evil Inclination” by Daniel Victor is an exciting work of literary fiction to capture the imagination and pull the heartstrings. At its heart, this novel is an enchanting love story where desire and faith war with each other. It’s a must-read from the start. In addition to romance and faith, you’ll find family, temptation, and God. The plot revolves around a respectable young man of twenty named Levitski, who is a devoted Orthodox Jew comfortable in his life. But this is before he meets sensual Angela at college. She’s a beauty with dark hair, and she opens his eyes to other possibilities than the conservative ones he’s used to.
The issue lies in their faith. He is Jewish, she is Catholic. How can a secret love like this survive? There comes a point where they must make choices, but which ones will they be? Are they too different from each other, or will love find a way?
Victor has crafted the perfect classic love story where faith and love collide. You will feel for each character as if you know them. I love books with Jewish themes, and stories of faith are intriguing, so I was immediately enamored with the plot and situations. As you read, you are held in suspense as you wonder how things will turn out for the couple.
Evil inclination is defined as longing and desire, according to traditional Judaism. These powerful drives and emotions can define us, break us, or make us stronger. Not only that, it’s the object of affection, in this case Angela, that may help define who Lev is. In the hands of a writer as good as Victor, a story can make you wiser, it can inspire and make you think. Sometimes it can even help you see life from a different perspective.
I love the inner conflict Lev feels about his faith versus his love for Angela. His faith is real, but so is his desire for her. His emotional struggle feels real. Angela’s assertive, challenging personality is the perfect balance for Lev. You just never know where this serious novel is going, but it never disappoints. This is a drama that begs to be filmed. If you like emotionally-layered and character-driven stories centered around faith, love, and choices you will love “The Evil Inclination” by Daniel Victor.
The issue lies in their faith. He is Jewish, she is Catholic. How can a secret love like this survive? There comes a point where they must make choices, but which ones will they be? Are they too different from each other, or will love find a way?
Victor has crafted the perfect classic love story where faith and love collide. You will feel for each character as if you know them. I love books with Jewish themes, and stories of faith are intriguing, so I was immediately enamored with the plot and situations. As you read, you are held in suspense as you wonder how things will turn out for the couple.
Evil inclination is defined as longing and desire, according to traditional Judaism. These powerful drives and emotions can define us, break us, or make us stronger. Not only that, it’s the object of affection, in this case Angela, that may help define who Lev is. In the hands of a writer as good as Victor, a story can make you wiser, it can inspire and make you think. Sometimes it can even help you see life from a different perspective.
I love the inner conflict Lev feels about his faith versus his love for Angela. His faith is real, but so is his desire for her. His emotional struggle feels real. Angela’s assertive, challenging personality is the perfect balance for Lev. You just never know where this serious novel is going, but it never disappoints. This is a drama that begs to be filmed. If you like emotionally-layered and character-driven stories centered around faith, love, and choices you will love “The Evil Inclination” by Daniel Victor.
March 11, 2024
The Evil Inclination brings the reader into the conflicted world of Lev Livitski, a young, orthodox, New York Jew struggling with the role of faith and Judaism in his increasingly modern world. He's torn between the comfort and grounding provided to him by his family and community traditions on the one hand, and the excitement, passion and novelty of a world shown to him by his non-Jewish girlfriend, Angela Pizatto, on the other. Throughout, Lev battles feelings of betrayal as he succumbs fully to his desire to explore modern life. While following Lev's journey, Victor provides the reader with a fascinating and insightful view of modern Jewish orthodoxy and the degree to which its teachings permeates every waking moment for its true believers, while insulating them from the world as it exists beyond its boundaries.
The book is an interesting and worthwhile read with complex characters, though the story stagnates somewhat through middle portions as Lev and Angela replay similar conversations and situations over and again. Eventually, the sincerity and constancy of Lev's angst causes Angela to question her own traditions, which adds to the richness of the story and provides a welcome counterweight to Lev's crisis of faith and uncertainty about his place in the world. That said, the basis of the relationship between the two remained confusing for me throughout the book. Curiosity about someone with an entirely different world view can certainly foster relationships, but tends not to lead to the depth of devotion shown between Lev and Angela. Still, the story eventually makes its way to an interesting, satisfying and somewhat surprising conclusion wherein Lev and Angela both discover and reveal their true selves.
The book is an interesting and worthwhile read with complex characters, though the story stagnates somewhat through middle portions as Lev and Angela replay similar conversations and situations over and again. Eventually, the sincerity and constancy of Lev's angst causes Angela to question her own traditions, which adds to the richness of the story and provides a welcome counterweight to Lev's crisis of faith and uncertainty about his place in the world. That said, the basis of the relationship between the two remained confusing for me throughout the book. Curiosity about someone with an entirely different world view can certainly foster relationships, but tends not to lead to the depth of devotion shown between Lev and Angela. Still, the story eventually makes its way to an interesting, satisfying and somewhat surprising conclusion wherein Lev and Angela both discover and reveal their true selves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2023
I wish there were an opportunity to give The Evil Inclination 10 stars. I loved it so much. I learned stuff I never would have from it and read a story I never could have imagined. I travelled to places inside me that hadn't previously existed and it was fun, and scary, and I never wanted to finish this mysterious and wonderful book. It's still with me: every time I break what must be some Talmudic law or fall from grace, I see myself falling off the Derekh.
I plan to buy this book as a Christmas gift for my beloved family members and some of my closest friends who include a Franciscan monk, a Presbyterian minister, the rector of my church, and a few athiests! I'll be jealous of them reading it, so I'll have to read it again.
I plan to buy this book as a Christmas gift for my beloved family members and some of my closest friends who include a Franciscan monk, a Presbyterian minister, the rector of my church, and a few athiests! I'll be jealous of them reading it, so I'll have to read it again.
March 28, 2024
Opposites attract in The Evil Inclination, a novel by Daniel Victor, an exploration of the unlikely pairing of Lev, a frum--religious--Orthodox Jewish young man and Angela, a feisty, spunky Italian and mostly-lapsed Catholic, young woman. The attraction seems mutual from the start and without much ado, the two are trysting wherever and whenever they can find a bit of privacy. Finally, Angela arranges an apartment where they can meet on a regular basis. Victor constantly takes the characters in unexpected directions, revealing more and more about each of them as the story develops. The relationship between Lev and Angela, at first, is pure lust, and when it flowers into love, the ending is both unpredictable and inevitable.
July 2, 2023
This intelligent book was hard to put down. The prose is succinct and descriptive so that one feels like they know the characters intimately, as well as the local neighborhoods in which the story takes place. I cared about the primary characters, but also, by extension, about their families—my hallmark of a good book. The surprising ending left me introspective about how yetzer ha-tov and yetzer ha-ra’ plays out in each of our lives. I am recommending this book to my book group; it is rich for discussion.
June 30, 2023
This is a thoughtful and emotional story about questioning long held religious beliefs and assumptions catalyzed by a passionate romance between two young people of very different backgrounds. The author frames the hero's crises of faith by calling upon Talmudic texts in a fascinating and always engaging way.
The story moves forward in a completely engaging way and I predict that you will not be able to put this book down.
Highly recommended!
The story moves forward in a completely engaging way and I predict that you will not be able to put this book down.
Highly recommended!
December 4, 2023
I rarely write a review, but Evil Inclination was so captivating, relevant and engrossing. The story line touched upon multiple complex subjects. I loved the banter of the characters and their development was touching and flawless. The book explores navigating romantic relationships, learning more about the complexities of faith, while exploring the sights and rhythm of New York City. I plan to recommend Evil Inclination to my book club .
March 25, 2024
Thoughtful and Provoking
I could not put this book down. It was so and tragic ... lives wasted or simply not to be?? The turns and twists kept me coming back for more. I have always been interested in Judaism. I found the Talmud fascinating as well as extremely complicated. I always knew there were Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazi Jews, but I didn't know they disliked or distrusted each other.
I could not put this book down. It was so and tragic ... lives wasted or simply not to be?? The turns and twists kept me coming back for more. I have always been interested in Judaism. I found the Talmud fascinating as well as extremely complicated. I always knew there were Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazi Jews, but I didn't know they disliked or distrusted each other.
December 30, 2024
I loved this book. Victor tells the story of an observant young Jewish man who falls for a beautiful young Italian Catholic woman. But the story is so much richer than just their romance. With Talmudic references throughout we see them struggle with their relationship while deeply engaged in it. All the complexity of religious observance, identity, faith and family make this story rich and thought-provoking.
June 23, 2023
I love this book!
I highly recommend "The Evil Inclination" to anyone who:
-is interested in Jewish tradition, culture, and values
-wants to experience a vivid portrayal of local color and life in New York City
-is willing to explore the complexities of love and romance
-just loves a good story
A stunning debut from Daniel Victor -- I can't wait to read his next one
I highly recommend "The Evil Inclination" to anyone who:
-is interested in Jewish tradition, culture, and values
-wants to experience a vivid portrayal of local color and life in New York City
-is willing to explore the complexities of love and romance
-just loves a good story
A stunning debut from Daniel Victor -- I can't wait to read his next one
Read
June 30, 2023I finished reading your book yesterday - I burned through the last 3/4ths in a day. I thought it was great; brilliantly plotted with engaging depth of character, and deeply thought provoking about the rolls of religion, family, and prejudice in the characters’ lives.
I’m buying copies for two friends.
I’m buying copies for two friends.
September 7, 2023
I loved this book! It captivated me from page 1. The story ended in a way I never saw coming, which made it all that more interesting. I’m Jewish but not religious so it was interesting to learn about my faith at a higher lever. I loved the characters. I laughed out loud in parts. The writing was so good. I highly recommend this book.
January 11, 2024
A wonderful novel. Thoughtful, well constructed and engaging. Multiple themes of adolescent love, transcultural/religious relationships, desire to choose own path vs following familial values. Interesting to learn more about Modern Judaism. It would make a great movie and if there is a sequel, sign me up.
June 23, 2023
Dazzling debut! Victor writes so vividly and manages to combine a novel of ideas and identity formation with compelling characters and a steamy romance. And he does a great job capturing Brooklyn and NYC!
July 14, 2023
I couldn’t put this book down! Love, lust and passion collide with faith, family and tradition. A riveting tale! This profound and very well written novel will produce a spirited book club discussion. I didn’t want it to end. A sequel to this engaging love story is on my wish list.
January 8, 2024
I hope more of Daniel Victor's novels will be published. I enjoyed reading this one twice. It is many layered and weaves the themes seamlessly. It will mean a lot to both Jews and to non-Jews. Passionate and tender.
December 17, 2024
I liked this story on a very superficial level. The love story between a modern orthodox man and an Italian Catholic girl, but the writing felt forced and preachy. The whole thing was so implausible that it all bordered on ridiculous.
June 25, 2023
An excellent read that will engage you, entertain you, make you think, and maybe break your heart. Highly recommended.
July 25, 2023
Beautifully written novel of love, religion, obligation, passion, and culture-clash. So readable, I couldn’t put it down! Very accessible to Jews and non-Jews alike. Was a joy to read!
October 4, 2023
Loved the book. Characters fully developed, captivating story, plot twists, couldn’t put down the book.
November 24, 2023
both of the main characters were extremely unlikable and i didn’t like the dialogue, i found it unrealistic to how people in college would speak
March 6, 2024
a Jewish orthodox 20 year old college student is reevaluating the core of his beliefs when he falls for a Catholic classmate and everything they believe is called into question as they fall in love
December 14, 2023
If I could, I would give this book TEN stars! It’s the best book I’ve read in a very long time. I just can’t praise it highly enough. It’s intelligent and funny, suspenseful and heartwarming and honest… and beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews