pkurtzman_Night


 * Night by Elie Wiesel**

__Night__ by Elie Wiesel, copyrighted in 1960, and published by “Hill and Wang” is a marvelous autobiographical, and translated novel. Being one out of the many Elie Wiesel books, it is by far the best. Although an incredibly easy read, it was added on to Oprah Winfrey’s reading list. The novel is appropriate for children starting at age twelve, as well as teenagers and all adults. __Night__ tells the story of the Holocaust through a survivor’s eyes, and is an incredible and significant asset in one’s own personal libraries. Elie Wiesel’s purpose is to educate all about the Holocaust before there are no first- hand witnesses left to share their incredible yet tragic stories. Elie (Eliezer) is the narrator of the story, as well as the main character, and creates a connection with the reader. His heartbreaking stories, and experiences bring tears to readers’ eyes. Wiesel uses simplicity to get across his message, of how affective the Holocaust was on everyone’s lives. He also shares his feelings at each one of his complexes that he shares in his story. Elie’s relationship with his father shows the importance of love and family, and how the German’s took both away from millions. The Holocaust was not just an event, but a life-changing experience. Elie demonstrates peoples’ loss of faith, purpose, and hope in life. Wiesel starts out the story with the concept of religion and maturity. His father prevents him from learning Kaballah because he is only fifteen. Yet months after, Elie is a victim of the Holocaust, experiencing things the most mature person should ever experience. Elie is first forced to wear a yellow star, labeling him as a Jew, and then sooner and sooner more and more rights were being taken away from the Jewish people in Europe. "'The yellow star? Oh well, what of it? You don't die of it....'" Chapter 1, pg. 9, little did Elie know, this yellow star is what led to the death of not only his people, but the death of part of his identity. Elie is taken to a concentration camp, and immediately separated from his mother and sisters, but lies, breaking one of the ten commandments, showing a sacrifice he has to make, in order to remain with his father. Elie shares his experiences in the concentration camp, Auschwitz, and his overall emotions towards with Holocaust as a whole. One of __Night__’s strengths, is it’s ability to attach itself to everyone who picks it up. Most people will find themselves starting the book and finishing it the same day. It is a book that is hard to put down, because of it’s easy read, and enriched and exciting plot. Yet it gives information and a story to remember for a lifetime. The novel is very engaging. Elie Wiesel’s story is true, and all characters once existed. He demonstrates each character’s purpose, and make-up. Wiesel uses the characters creatively to foreshadow future events in the story, and represent certain reoccurring themes throughout the novel. As mentioned earlier Elie Wiesel has written other novels besides __Night,__ all relating to, or about his religion and or his experience in the Holocaust. The other novels are meaningful and well written, but __Night__ is the most popular and engaging. Some of the names of the other books Wiesel has written include; __The Time of the Uprooted__, __Somewhere a Master__, __Wise Men and Their Tales__, __After the Darkness__, __The Fifth Son__, __The Testament__, __And the Sea Is Never Full,__ __Twilight__, __The Forgotten__, __The Oath__, and more. All together, __Night__ by Elie Wiesel is a great, well-written, touching story of a Holocaust survivor. It gives significant evidence of how dreadful the Holocaust in-fact was. __Nigh__t is a book that everyone twelve years and older should read. Not younger then twelve only because, death, torture, and severe cruelty are a big part of the book. __Night__ by Elie Wiesel tells a true and heart-breaking story, but also a story that should stick with everyone who has read it.