mass market paperback, 109 pages
English language
Published Oct. 20, 1989 by Bantam Books.
"Night--A terrifying account of the Nazi death camp horror that turns a young Jewish boy into an agonized witness to the death of his family...the death of his innocence...and the death of his God. Penetrating and powerful, as personal as The diary of Anne Frank, Night awakens the shocking memory of evil at its absolute and carries with it the unforgettable message that this horror must never be allowed to happen again"--back cover
A near constant kick in the gut. Wiesel's plain and clear descriptions lay what happened to him - and millions of others - bare and gives no place for the reader to hide. After the first few minutes of the book and going on straight through to the last word, my throat was tight with emotion.
A book every American should have to read.
This was a hard read. The writing at times is so poetic, yet the subject matter is so horrendous. But I agree with with what Ellie says several different times in the course of this book.
"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.
Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live.
Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes.
Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself. …
This was a hard read. The writing at times is so poetic, yet the subject matter is so horrendous. But I agree with with what Ellie says several different times in the course of this book.
"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.
Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live.
Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes.
Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself.
Never."
And neither should we.
