Night discussion

For my 8th book review I chose Night by Elie Wiesel. I really enjoyed this book and even though it was only 115 pages long it went into great detail of the horrifying atrocities that took place during the Holocaust. It follows one family in particular, in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland and other camps. The amount of detail provided in the small number of pages is shocking but it allows for a quick, powerful and amazing read. This book is about Eliezer, age 15, and his family. Eliezer was born and raised in the town of Sighet, Transylvania and himself, his 3 sisters, his mother and father were Jewish and they had a very strong faith. Eliezer studied the Kabbalah and Talmud while his father, who was an esteemed member of the Jewish community, ran a store. By the Spring of 1944, things began to change for Eliezer's family because the German army had just entered their town. Eventually his family was moved to a ghetto, along with many other Jewish families, and then forced to march to a train that would take them away from their homes. After days of riding in the train they arrived in Auschwitz concentration camp. Many horrible things happened to Eliezer and his family while they were in Auschwitz. There is a moment that they are so hungry people start fighting over a crust of bread due to the small amount of rations they received. The family is eventually moved to Buchenwald camp where Eliezer and his father are forced to work in machine factories. Eliezer discusses many horrific events that took place there. As well as the death march the Nazi SS soldiers made them go through in the middle of the night to get away from the front lines that were inching closer and closer to liberating Eliezer and his family. Many Jewish families died during this time in the concentration camps as well as Eliezer’s innocence while confronted with the absolute evil of man. I would highly, highly recommend this book to all readers. I believe it is a terrifying reminder of the absolute horror that should never be forgotten or allowed to happen again.

I read this book in my 10th grade English class, by my teachers choice. I really think it would be so important to add this book to the curriculum. Though it is a short read, it really goes into detail and puts things into perspective. I think it is insane how people can see this and still deny that the Holocaust ever happened. Not only is Eliezer a wonderful author, he tells a story that is so important for people to know. This book absolutely needs to be read by everyone.