One sentence summary
Night by Elie Wiesel is an autobiographical work that tells the story of a young Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Hungary and his struggle to survive Auschwitz concentration camp.
Book genre
Night is a memoir and an autobiographical work about Elie Wiesel’s experience during the Holocaust.
Main topic of the book
The Holocaust, Holocaust survivors, and the trial of the Nazis from the perspective of an eyewitness and survivor.
Key ideas
- McCarthyism: Elie Wiesel shares the story of his persecution during the Holocaust, in particular during his time in the Auschwitz concentration camp. He also speaks of the persecution of others and its effect on his own sense of hope.
- Memorialization: Elie Wiesel wanted to memorialize the suffering of himself and others during the Holocaust, as well as use his experience as a means of preventing similar atrocities from happening in the future.
- Faith: Elie Wiesel’s firsthand experience of the Holocaust influenced his beliefs about life and faith, and the importance of creating a meaningful life from tragedy.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Part 1: The novel begins with an introduction to Elie Wiesel’s life in Sighet, Hungary. Wiesel is a Jewish student in the spring of 1944 when Nazis occupy Hungary. Elie and his family are then deported to Auschwitz. During his time in the concentration camp, Elie struggles to stay alive, as he watches his family members suffer and die.
- Part 2: After a brief intermission from Auschwitz, Elie is sent to Buchenwald. Here, he and the other prisoners face constant abuse from the Nazis, and Elie must grapple with the idea that his faith is being tested in the most horrific ways. After being liberated from the camp, Elie returns to his home in Sighet and warily contemplates his new life in the aftermath of the Holocaust.
- Part 3: Elie reflects on the Jewish community’s resilience in the face of the horrors of the Holocaust, and the need to remember these events through remembrance ceremonies. He attends the first trial of Nazi leaders in 1946 as a survivor and a witness, and is determined to share his story.
Key takeaways
- The Holocaust was a devastating, traumatic event marked by loss and suffering.
- The survivor’s stories, such as Elie Wiesel’s, must be honored and remembered.
- One can find resilience, strength, and hope even in the face of great tragedy and despair.
Author’s background and qualifications
Elie Wiesel was born in 1928 in Sighet, Romania, and was just 15 years old when his family was deported to Auschwitz. After the war, Elie studied in Paris and became a journalist and professor. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for his work as a human rights activist and educator about the Holocaust.
Target audience
Night is an important work that appeals to both adult and young adult readers. It is a powerful book that offers an insightful look into World War II and the Holocaust and its impact on the lives of its survivors.
Publisher and first publication date
Night was first published in 1960 by Hill and Wang.