This story based on a true, firsthand account of life in the Holocaust is extremely touching, emotional, and even depressing. One can definitely feel very close and connected to Elie Wiesel and his father and all that they go through together at the concentration camps. In addition, the way Wiesel writes is clear and understandable, despite the harsh, difficult subject matter of the Holocaust. I give this book a 10/10 rating and would recommend it to all readers who want to study and learn about personal encounters and hardships during the Holocaust.
- Emily K., grade 12
3 comments:
This novel follows a Jewish boy, Eli, through his experiences during World War II. His story is a tragic one, as are the stories of most Jews in this time period. Eli is introduced to be a very religious and lively young man at the start of the novel, but after he and his family are taken away to a concentration camp and he is seperated from his mother and sisters, Eli begins to lose faith. His experiences in the concentration camp are almost unbearable and preferable to death at times. This novel is an example of the horror of World War II told from the perspective of a young boy.
This book, though very sad, stayed with me for a while after I put it down. The scenes, in all their horror, are illustrated so beautifully and capture you with such intensity. I would recommend this to teens and adults, and would say that it is not a light read but a read that will impact you.
Reviewed by: Anonymous., grade: 11
Pacific Park Library
Night, by Elie Wiesel, is a novel recounting Elie's and his family's experiences in World War II. Elie, in the books time period, was a young Jewish boy living in the Jewish community of Sighet,Transylvania. He first gives us background information about his family and community, mentioning his "instructor" Moshe the Beadle. Moshe was taken to Poland by the Gestapo, the German secret police, and witnessed the then unknown horrors of the Holocaust. The Gestapo believed he was dead and left him, giving him the means to return to Sighet. Upon his arrival he frantically informed the Jews of the terrible fate that awaits them if they do not flee. He is ignored and called a mad man. Soon enough more and more restrictions are placed on the Jews, and they are eventually put into ghettos. The time finally comes for them to be herded into cattle cars, and transported to the concentration camps. Elie tells us about his life in the camps and all that he witnessed.
I found Night to be amazing. It is hard to read a first hand account of a Jew's life in the Holocaust, but it is extremely informative. I realized how terrifying life at the time was, and how savage man can be. It is unbelievable to me that a person was able to stand and watch, or even kill, the torture these people underwent. It gave me goosebumps as I read how calmly and casually these people were tortured and murdered. Elie Wiesel's story is only one of millions but nevertheless it is remarkable. I definitely recommend this memoir to everyone, it is an eye opener and a must read. I give Night a ten out of ten, five stars, and all the praise I can give it.
Reviewed by Kristine K., Grade 11
Casa Verdugo Library
In the story "Night" by Elie Wiesel a young boy is told about Nazi aggressors coming to his town and so they try to run but his family gets caught by the Nazi's. His family consists of his father, Chlomo his mother, and his 3 sisters and him. They were all separated but Chlomo and Elie stayed together and they were put through starvation,abuse, and painful punishments. A lot of the time Elie, his father, and the other inmates had to walk to their concentration camps whether starving or barley living. The inmates would be shot if they fell and couldn't keep going so it wouldn't slow the others down. The last 10 along with Elie and his father all cling to their life as they all slowly fall apart. Chlomo starts to die because of malnutrition and Elie slowly tries to nurse him back to health. His father was sent to a chamber and Elie didn't know because he was in a semi-delirium..
I liked this book because it talks about a young mans childhood struggle trying to keep himself alive as well as his father alive. It shows his astonishing courage through the ultimate struggle because those were the worst times. I don't like that people let alone children to die because they weren't a certain ethnicity. I believe historians would personally like the book because they are so interested in the past. It hurt to see people willing to throw others life away like they aren't a human either.
Reviewed by Felicia-Maria, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library
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