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Brina's Reviews > Night
Night (The Night Trilogy, #1)
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The first time I read Night by Eli Wiesel I was in an eighth grade religious school class. At that time it had recently become a law in my state to teach the Holocaust as part of the general curriculum, and, as a result, my classmates and I were the torchbearers to tell people to never forget and were inundated with quality Holocaust literature. Yet even though middle school students can comprehend Night, the subject matter at times is still way over their heads. The book itself although a prize winner blended into the religious school class and receded to the back of my memory bank.
These years later I have been enjoying a religious lifestyle for my adult life. Upon hearing that Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel passed away recently I thought now was as good of a time as any to reread his award winning account of surviving the Holocaust. Although only 120 pages in length, Wiesel's memoir of life in the concentration camps is one of the most powerful pieces of literature that most people will ever read. Wiesel discusses his relationship with G-D and talks about his conflicting feelings in regards to taking care of his father while in Buna and Birkenau camps. It was not easy to digest.
Wiesel also writes in length about observing Rosh Hashanah while in the concentration camps. Why praise the Almighty for one's deliverance if one's existence is spent as a prisoner living on crusts of bread? It was easy to forget G-D or denounce His existence, even for the most religious Jews. These passages brought me close to tears.
On this eve of Rosh Hashanah I can thank the Blessed Creator that I enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Even though the world is far from perfect, my family lives in a land of freedom and are free to worship as we choose. Eli Wiesel brought Holocaust awareness to many people and earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. His passing is indicative that few survivors are still with us and we should hear their stories while we still can. Night is a painful yet necessary read, and by reading it I can go into the new year thanking G-D for my right to live in relative peace and prosperity.
These years later I have been enjoying a religious lifestyle for my adult life. Upon hearing that Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel passed away recently I thought now was as good of a time as any to reread his award winning account of surviving the Holocaust. Although only 120 pages in length, Wiesel's memoir of life in the concentration camps is one of the most powerful pieces of literature that most people will ever read. Wiesel discusses his relationship with G-D and talks about his conflicting feelings in regards to taking care of his father while in Buna and Birkenau camps. It was not easy to digest.
Wiesel also writes in length about observing Rosh Hashanah while in the concentration camps. Why praise the Almighty for one's deliverance if one's existence is spent as a prisoner living on crusts of bread? It was easy to forget G-D or denounce His existence, even for the most religious Jews. These passages brought me close to tears.
On this eve of Rosh Hashanah I can thank the Blessed Creator that I enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Even though the world is far from perfect, my family lives in a land of freedom and are free to worship as we choose. Eli Wiesel brought Holocaust awareness to many people and earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. His passing is indicative that few survivors are still with us and we should hear their stories while we still can. Night is a painful yet necessary read, and by reading it I can go into the new year thanking G-D for my right to live in relative peace and prosperity.
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Charlotte
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 30, 2016 10:03PM
I read this book some time ago and loved it. Very powerful read.
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This is an amazing book, one I will never forget.
It is definitely an unforgettable book and hopefully by people reading it, it will prevent the atrocities discussed from ever happening again.
i was able to hear him speak many years ago, a cherished memory.
Wow that is special. I have heard Nobel laureates speak just not him.
Brina wrote: "Wow that is special. I have heard Nobel laureates speak just not him."I was in such awe, and so aware of the pain behind his books, I resented the clapping of the audience when he came onstage. I thought silence and rising to our feet would have been more respectful.
This book is in a realm all its own. I can totally understand why it took Wiesel ten years to write it. I taught this to high school juniors (by choice) and it never was easy. I felt that I did students a dis-service if they were not given the opportunity to see the holocaust through his eyes.
I think it would have been easier to read in 11th rather than 8th grade just for maturity level. My parents were charter members of the US Holocaust Museum. I remember going and hearing people whispering who had never heard of the Holocaust before. It is necessary to teach this no matter how difficult it is.
One of the most transcendent books! Wonderful review and I especially agree with your last statement.
Thank you Chris. I felt like I had to reread when I learned about his passing and I'm glad that I did because it was over my head as an adolescent.
Thanks for the wonderful review, Brina. Night is the strongest holocaust memoir that I read (and I read a lot of them). It is the closest to actually listen to holocaust survivors. It is a painful book, the unimaginable horrors are hard to read. Another exceptional book is If This Is a Man / The Truce by Primo Levi.
Brina, thanks for this revew - I don't know if you've read "if this is a man' by Primo Levi. That one is one of my favourites - I'm wondering how Weisel compares??
“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe.” ― Elie Wiesel
Brina, I just read this book for Jewish History Month. Powerful and moving for the reasons you stated.Great review Brina.
Great to know your experience with the book, Brina!I have just read this. Though it may have been introduced in schools, the profundity involved in this text requires a certain sort of maturity. you are right. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you so much for commenting, Praveen. Yes, I have had experience with Holocaust education for my entire life. Like most books I read during school, I’m rereading to get the adult experience from them. Most have been a rewarding experience.
beautiful review that I agree with. To your (rhetorical) question "Why praise the Almighty for one's deliverance if one's existence is spent as a prisoner living on crusts of bread?" there is no answer to that question...for me, I was in tears at 2021 Hanukkah community celebration. I felt witness to a ceremony that was thousands of years old with a people that survive on a planet that will not allow Jews to live in peace. Thank you for your review, I am a fan of your thoughtful writing.
