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Summary: Elie Wiesel: A Witness
Review: I can't write a review of this book. The only proper response is silence.
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Summary: Horrifying
Review: I read this book over the summer for my freshman English Honors class. To say the least, it is one of the most horrifyingly objective and meaningful books ever written. I read it in a single evening, unable to put it down. It was like a car wreck-It was terrible, but I had to finish it. I couldn't stand not reading it. The spiritual, emotional, and physical changes that Elie goes through serve as a frightening allegory to the condition of the human race, as well as teaching a lesson about the tides of war. Simply perfect.
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Summary: The simplicity is terrifying.
Review: In this slim little book is a horrifying account, told for the eyes of a young boy who begins to loose faith in his God. It is your typical holocaust novel, but it's small size and simple language work to intensify the moment. You begin to realize just how naive and young this boy is. There is no emotion, no screaming and crying, simply silence. He accepts his fate, his shaved head, the people dying around him. The simplicity of this book is frightening. The writing is comprehensible to a twelve year old, but do you dare put this shattering piece in their hands? It might do them some good.
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Summary: One of the most powerful books I have ever read
Review: Elie Wiesel's narrative is similar to The Diary of Anne Frank, as it takes you into the world of the Nazi prison camps that consumed Germany during the early 1940s. Wiesel's illustrates the tragedy that the prison had on him as a youth in just the first day: "Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed." Wiesel's novel, which is pretty much an autobiography, captures the brutality and horrors of the Holocaust in a Nazi death camp. I found that Night was one of those books very tough to put down because it is a powerful read and the descriptions were brutally honest. It was gripping, and you feel the pain that the narrator feels as he and his father try to maintain hope while trying to survive the trials of a concentration camp when he is constantly being surrounded by death. This was one of those books that made me think deeply about the situation of the Holocaust, the tragedy it caused and how those who suffered should never be forgotten. The narrator's main struggle is not only a physical struggle to survive, but also a psychological and spiritual one as well. He wavers in his faith in God because of the realities of horror he experiences and sees, but he uses his faith to also make it through each day. That, and the thought of staying with his father, keeps him going despite hunger and emotional and physical abuse: "I had no right to let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his only support." One reviewer, Gary, made a comment about this book's style being irrelevant to critique because of the deeply troubling and significant subject matter of the book. I agree wholeheartedly. Night is a book that people should be exposed to because it paints a perspective on history that stays with the reader. Also recommended: The Diary of Anne Frank
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Summary: Three Quotes I underlined from Night
Review: 1 : The stars were only sparks of the fire which devoured us. Should that fire die out one day, there would be nothing left in the sky but dead stars, dead eyes. 2 : I do not know if it has ever happened before, in the long history of the Jews, that people have ever recited the prayer for the dead for themselves... 3 : We had to throw our clothes at one end of the barracks. There was already a great heap there. New suits and old, torn coats, rags. For us, this was the true equality: nakedness.
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Summary: Read this book or one like it
Review: This is not the kind of book you read for entertainment. It's disturbing; it's depressing; and it's gruesome. This is also not the kind of book for which a critique of the author's writing style is relevant. The author bears witness to what he experienced in the concentration and death camps of Nazi Germany. This first hand account of atrocities is so important to record, that it's ludicrous to fault the author for any deficiencies, real or perceived, related to his writing ability or the choice of content, with the one exception of historical accuracy. If you think of yourself as a good person, and are mature enough to deal with the subject material, you read this book because there were many people like you in Germany, who thought of themselves as good people, who didn't want to think that there were concentration camps located near major population centers committing atrocities, because that thought was depressing, disturbing, and gruesome. Genocide still happens and people should not just say "won't happen here" and give it no more thought.
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Summary: Riveting...
Review: Night is an excellent, riveting, page-turning memoir. I found myself not able to put it down once I started reading. The book itself is put together very well. Wiesel uses excellent diction and syntax throughout the piece. The simple and straightforward way he describes his experience is extremely shocking and eye opening to the reader. The plot flows smoothly throughout the book, making it easy to follow and a quick read. The choice of which characters he includes is also effective for the reader, such as the sad angel faced boy. I found only a few flaws with Wiesel's piece. Though it is implied, it is never really made clear exactly what happens to his mother and sisters. I also wanted to know more of what he thought about the separation from his mother. He never goes into detail about how he felt. Wiesel's description is graphic at times and I would not recommend it to anyone of young age.
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Summary: Essential reading for understanding the Holocaust
Review: Fortunately "Night" is short, because one cannot help but complete in one sitting. "Night" briefly describes the German occupation of Hungary, deportation, and concentration camp experiences of the author. The description of the occupation is very insightful, describing how the Jewish community gradually lost more and more human rights and then was finally deported. The community refused to fathom that the Germans could be so cruel and that such persecution and genocide could happen in the 20th century, so they kept accepting each demotion, believing - hoping - the persecution could go no further. No doubt this pattern occurred time and time again in 1930s/40s Europe. The description of camp life was gut-wrenching, yet told in a very detached manner. I found the narrative less disturbing than other Holocaust literature (although just as poignant), probably due both to the author's writing style and condensed nature of the tale. I am anxious to complete Wiesel's "Night Trilogy" and read more of his writings.
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Summary: COMPULSIVE READING
Review: I had always wanted to read NIGHT and now that I have, I have nothing but the most heart felt sorrow for this poor man and his family. I was really surprised his father had made it as long as he did, and that is a miracle, given the conditions. This book is quick but very powerful, the images are very simple and basic, but that is not to say they are not profound and provocative. I highly recommend this book, it is just another reminder of how low humanity can stoop.
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Summary: A sad book worth reading
Review: "Night" Elie Wiesel is a sad book, but worth reading. The story is about Elie and his father. It takes place in Germany during World War 2 and the Holocaust. Elie and his family get sent to a concentration camp. He gets split from his mom and sisters, but he stayed with his father. The story is about how Elie and his father survive together. In the end only Elie survives. I thought the book was great! I like it because the whole book is very interesting. And because I enjoy history and it is a true story.
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