Night, by Elie Wiesel

I now understand after having read Night, by Elie Wiesel, in my religion class, why it is a requirement. This book presents a struggle of faith that many may deal with, as well as expressing the importance of having good relationships, faith, and an overall appreciation for life.

This WWII memoir follows Eliezer, a young Jewish boy, who is based on the struggles and survival of the author, Elie Wiesel through the Holocaust. Night follows Eliezer and his father through various concentration camps such as Auschwitz/Birkenau, Buna, and Buchenwald. This book takes the reader on the journey with the characters, and Wiesel really captures his audience because of both the personal and painful situations he and his father find themselves in, such as watching the hangings of fellow prisoners, including small children, while in the concentration camps. Even though Wiesel gives very vivid and horrific images of his experience, it does help to clarify the underlying theme and message of the book, Eliezer's struggle of faith and the questioning of humanity. Night takes a look at the question, which often may be on the minds of many people: Why would God allow such evil things to happen? Through the whole experience, it was hard for Eliezer to maintain his faith. However, it seems that those experiences may have made his faith stronger in the end. Night is quick and easy to read, yet exposes a significant period in our history which allows us to now reflect and realize the importance of life, relationships, and humanity.

Wiesel, Elie. Night. Trans. Marion Wiesel. New York: Hill & Wang-Farrer,Straus & Giroux, 2006. (Mount Union College Library catalog)(OhioLINK)

Submitted by Amanda Utterhark, Class of 2009