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Saturday, August 20, 2016

Book Review: Night

Title:         Night
Author:    Elie Wiesel
Publ.:       Grapevine
ISBN:       978-9381841891
MRP:        Rs 125
Pages:      173


This book starts with describing the spread of anti-semitic feelings and the subsequent seize of that small town where Elie Wiesel, the author lived with his family, by the Nazi troops. The Jews of his town are taken overnight to a concentration camp, leaving everything behind. He and his father are separated from rest of the family and endure torture, beatings, violence and constant fear of being thrown alive in a furnace. The author describes how the old, sick, infants and little children were thrown alive by truckloads in a furnace (with a tall chimney) that exuded a stinking black smoke all the time. 

The author and his father are made to shift between various camps in stifling rail carriages and on long foot marching and he watches his father die a very slow and painful death. This book does not describe other macabre conditions (like gas chambers) of the Auschwitz camp but focuses on an emotional relationship between a father and a son in adverse times. Wiesel was rescued by Americans with other inmates of the camp. 

It is difficult to believe how cruel man can become. One will surely start hating Nazis for their atrocities on Jews. Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) won the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize. This book has been translated from French (originally written in Kiddish) by author's wife, Marion Wiesel.

Rating 4/5


10 comments:

  1. Very good review. I have visited Auschwitz camp. Tears in my eyes while I write this comment.

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    1. Hi SG

      Thanks a lot! yes, I also searched for some holocaust pictures on the Internet and they were really shocking.

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  2. Very helpful review. Will try to get hold of the book.

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  3. Hitler showed us the way to racial hatred and we are still following the same. It's sad. I remember the movie called Beautiful Life or Life Is Beautiful where living in a concentration camp the father always keeps up a cheerful front for the son to keep having faith in life. So that his inner spirit is not destroyed. It was a classic. Sorry can't recall the name of the movie properly.

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    1. Hi Vanderloost

      Ok, I will surely search for it on the Internet or IMDB. Yes, Hitler was dead against Jews but his brutality crossed all limits. Such tough situations only can bring out a person's optimism and valor.

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  4. I stories of concentration camp are always painful to read and watch. Well reviewed.

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    1. Hi Rajlakshmi

      Yes, really very tragic. Thanks

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  5. I was out of books to read, maybe will give this one a try. Nice review

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    1. Hi Pooja

      Thanks! I think you will find this book stirring.

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