Night by Elie Wiesel

"Night" by Elie Wiesel

By Mariah P.

"Night" is an autobiographical memoir written by Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. Published in 1955, the memoir tells the story of Wiesel as a young boy at the height of the Holocaust. Wiesel was extraordinarily devout in his religious beliefs, and "Night" follows the story of him questioning the basis of his beliefs, as well as struggling with conflict such as whether to save himself or protect his father, morality and ethics, and maintaining his sense of self. "Night" has sold over ten million copies since its publication in 1955, and has two following memoirs, "Dawn" and "Day." The memoir shares the importance of family, and Wiesel's determination to hold onto it, and pay reverence to ones lost; "To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time," said Wiesel.

The memoir was strikingly graphic, and depicts the brutality of the Holocaust, and mistreatment of Jewish people in a way that many Holocaust-based novels do not, especially those assigned as part of high school curriculums. Wiesel does not hold back in describing his memories from his time in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, and gives an eye-opening recollection, placing the brutality, hostility, and cruelty in the novel with such grace and tact, there are moments in the memoir where the reader is almost able to forget the extent of the cruelty and focus on the powerful writing. Wiesel's writing is powerful and captivating, yet is as personal and familial as "The Diary of Anne Frank." "Night" perfectly delivers the message of Wiesel's disgust of the human condition, and the awakening that God might have been idealized up until it mattered to him.

I would recommend "Night" in a heart beat to adults and teens of all religious orientations, but would refrain from suggesting it to children, as the themes and writing may be too heavy for most kids.  For any history buffs, Holocaust survivors or relatives of survivors, or any interested teenager, I would suggest reading "Night," as it is truly a remarkable memoir, and gives astonishing insight into the inhumane treatment Wiesel went through when he was a teenager himself.