Night is a memoir written by Elie Wiesel, detailing his experiences as a teenager in the Auschwitz concentration camp and Buchenwald. The book touches on issues of faith, human nature, ethics and morality. It has been hailed as one of the most important books to come out of the Holocaust era.
For who is this book for ?
This book is perfect for someone who wants to learn more about the Holocaust and what happened during that time. Elie Wiesel’s writing provides an insightful perspective on one of history’s darkest times. It would also be a great read for anyone interested in religion or spirituality, as it addresses these themes throughout the memoir.
Pros :
- Night is a harrowing account of the Holocaust that offers a unique perspective on one of the darkest periods in human history.
- It is an important reminder of the atrocities that can be inflicted when hatred and bigotry are allowed to prevail.
- Night is eloquently written and provides insight into the mind of someone who has experienced extreme trauma
Cons :
- Wiesel writes about his experiences in a way that is raw, emotional and at times difficult to read.
- The book does not offer any solutions or easy answers to the complex questions it raises.
- It can be depressing and overwhelming
Learn more about the author
Elie Wiesel was born in 1928 in the town of Sighet, Transylvania. He and his family were taken to Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944, and then transferred to Buchenwald a few months before liberation. After the war, he studied at the Sorbonne and became a journalist. In 1958 Night was published, winning Wiesel the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. He has written more than 50 books on topics such as Judaism, Zionism and morality.
Reader Reviews
“Night is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the human capacity for evil and the power of hope. Elie Wiesel’s devastating yet ultimately inspiring account of his experience as a prisoner in Auschwitz and Buchenwald was first published more than fifty years ago, but it remains one of the most powerful testimonies ever written about the Holocaust.”
“I read this book a long time ago, but the memories of it still haunt me. It’s an incredibly powerful memoir that shows just how brutal and inhumane the Holocaust was.”
“One of my top ten books of all time. Night is a beautifully written and deeply moving account of one man’s journey from innocence to experience in the darkest hour of human history.”
“A devastatingly powerful book”