Die Nacht. Erinnerung und Zeugnis. (1955)

I feel like my rating is almost disrespectful, but three is the best I could do. I know this is an important subject and important material, but to me the writing somehow seemed to distance me from the matter. It seemed to read like fiction that you realize the whole time is fiction. ( )

Night by Elie Wiesel should be required reading for everyone. What a powerful telling of his trials. ( )

Elie was a teenager, a Talmud scholar, in 1944 when the SS arrived in his town. He and his family were taken to the concentration camps, where they endured unimaginable suffering. He and his father manage to stay together, but his father will not live to see liberation. Before the war ends, Elie sees the death of his family, his innocence, and his faith.

A moving and important work. After reading Maus, I realized that this was another primary source on the Holocaust that I had not yet read, so I addressed that issue. It's a powerful book that everyone should read. ( )

This was a very difficult book to read. I did not like reading it, but I am glad I did. It was very well written. It's amazing what abhorrent things humans can do to other human beings, which is why the people were unable to believe that it was imminent or even possible; if they had, they might have avoided it. Perhaps enough other people will read this book so that if/when it happens again, we can watch for it and stop it quickly. Humans CAN be monstrous; it is not impossible, not even difficult for some to envision. It is important for everyone to be aware of this and guard against it... ( )

Audiobook.

Hard to listen to, but important to hear and witness the evil that grows from fanatical control.

This version included Wiesel’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech from 1986 (or ‘84, can’t remember the year, now) and his preface to this newer translation. ( )