Night

Customer Reviews

Truly Captivating

This is the most complete account of Nazi Germany ever written. Unlike so many of the books on this subject, Elie Wiesel brings forth a very personal story.

Born in Hungary, Wiesel is deported with his family to the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz. His story is terrifying, shocking, and extremely graphic. He is very candid, and his incredible descriptions truly paint the vivid picture of the Nazi death camp.

It is hard to get through this book without feeling for Wiesel and his family, especially his father. Reading about the horrors that the two of them went through was an eye-opening experience. There are a lot of painful memories brought out in his excellent writing, and as a reader, I became part of the scene. I truly felt myself running and working with the prisoners, starving on bread and soup, and feeling their anguish and utmost terror. This book is by far, the most graphic account of Nazi Germany that I have ever read. I was mesmorized by the story, and glued to the book.

There are so many hidden messages in the book, as well as some blatant ones right there on the pages in front of you. Wiesel's descriptive language makes you want to keep turning the pages, as you struggle with him and his father for survival. This book is one that needs to be read more, by people from all races, creeds, and religions, so that this horror can never ever happen again.

Essential reading for understanding the Holocaust

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.

Horrifying Account of the Holocaust

Night is the story of Elie Wiesel's experience in the German concentration camp Auschwitz during World War II. He calls it a "nightmare-" this is an understatement. One can wake up from a nightmare. The horror Wiesel lived had no outlet.

A Jew from Transylvania, Wiesel grew up with a strong religious background. He found an unlikely teacher in a man named "Moshe the Beadle." Moshe taught his pupil that man could not understand God's answers to man's questions; man could only ask God the right questions. Would Elie's time in Auschwitz destroy his budding faith? The book explores faith in a searing way. A must read for all. Ages 16 and up.