Title: Night (Oprah's Book Club)
Author: Elie Wiesel
Page Number: 120
Publisher: Hill and Wang; Revised Edition
Published Date: January 16, 2006
Night by Elie Wiesel tells the horrific events of the Holocaust during World War II. It describes the brutality that the Jews faced due to the Nazi's hostility. Retold by the author himself, Wiesel is forced to relive his experiences as he writes this powerful novel with a driven emotion that causes one to rethink his personal beliefs.
Reading this novel for a class makes my opinions on it a lot more critical rather than reading it for personal entertainment. As I read with my English II class, I listened to many of the similar opinions that get simultaneously entertained to the point where I consider many views; causing me to alter my own personal beliefs.
The beginning of Night was not ultimately depressing and dark. If I were forced to read this book without a synopsis and a cover, I would not have assumed that this book will house the unfortunate events of the Holocaust. However, considering that the book is very short in length, it was difficult to decipher where the middle begins. I did not feel that there was hardly any buildup to the catastrophic events that ensued, but being told through a personal experience is taken into consideration.
Throughout the beginning Wiesel explains the ignorance the Jewish people in their town of Sighet and how they did not feel the brewing plan of the Nazi's against the Jews.
The middle was wonderfully written and thankfully honest. There was not an account where Wiesel is found sugarcoating; not even his own feelings. Mostly emotionally driven, the middle is very influential, because Eli insightfully supports his feelings and as you read, you will constantly question everything you believe.
The ending was satisfactory, and the honesty is still consistent which makes this Holocaust account very believable. However, the very last few pages was a bit disappointing because the feeling of happiness is not present; nor relief.
The critical thoughts that this book influenced were very powerful that I was deeply in awe. My views were not moved, but I found myself questioning my faith (Roman Catholicism) and asking why did this really happen. The book also caused a turmoil of emotions and I constantly felt depressed, angry, or whatever Wiesel was feeling at the moment.
The descriptions also deserve a lot of recognition for they were so vivid and honest that you can almost picture what it's like to be in a concentration camp in Auschwitz. However, considering the grotesque brutality that occurred, one can never really put themselves in the shoes of the unfortunate Jews.
The writing was also very sincere and insightful. Wiesel was so wonderful at conveying emotion through writing that one will simply remember this book for the rest of their life. It is simply unforgettable and thought provoking.
However, as you read this book, you will notice that it is filled with a lot of information. Being a personal account, we are more open to Wiesel's emotions rather than having every detail pinpointed and revealed. Nevertheless, the novel is still powerful that the little bit of revealed information is still passable for an account of the Holocaust.
It is also refreshing to read a book of what has happened in concentration camps through a male's point of view. Having read Rena's Promise and watching The Diary of Anne Frank, I mostly just knew of what happened in the concentration camps for women. Plus, Wiesel's constant foreshadowing is also refreshing for we get more insight to what really occurs.
Grading Scale:
Beginning: 12/15 80 %
Middle: 20/20 100%
Ending: 20/25 80%
Influence: 10/10 100 %
Description: 10/10 100 %
Information 5/10 50 %
Extra: 5 points
Overall Score 91% B+
No comments:
Post a Comment