A difficult read, but I expected that.

Both thematically and structurally, this book presents a challenge.

However, I really enjoyed the perspectives on history that I hadn't considered before.

For example, it made me think about how the establishment of Israel might have felt for Jews in the 1940s.

I also liked the views on memory presented in the book.

The mix of present, past, conjecture, magical realism, and varying perspectives added to the complexity of the read.

It required me to constantly shift my thinking and consider different viewpoints.

Despite the difficulty, I found this book to be a rewarding read.

It expanded my understanding of history and memory, and made me think more deeply about these important topics.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, memory, or literature.

The story itself was okay.

It had its moments and some interesting elements that could have potentially engaged the reader.

However, I just couldn't seem to get into the writing style of this one.

The way the author presented the narrative and described the events didn't quite click with me.

Maybe it was the pacing, which felt a bit off at times, or the use of language that didn't resonate on a deeper level.

Despite the decent story foundation, the writing style became a barrier for me to fully immerse myself in the story.

I found myself constantly being pulled out of the fictional world and having a hard time connecting with the characters and their experiences.

It's a shame because with a different writing style, this story might have had the potential to be truly captivating.

Powerful - Required Reading for Anyone

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who has a parent or a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's. It offers valuable insights, practical advice, and a wealth of information that can help navigate the challenges associated with this difficult disease.

Moreover, it is also highly recommended for those with Jewish parents or fathers. The book may touch on specific cultural aspects and experiences that are relevant to this particular group.

In fact, it is recommended for all who have parents. Whether your parents are in good health or facing various difficulties, this book can provide you with a deeper understanding of the parent-child relationship and offer useful tips on how to strengthen and cherish that bond.

Overall, this is a powerful and essential book that can have a profound impact on anyone's life who has a connection with their parents.

This is the fourth book I have read by Elie Wiesel, and perhaps it is the last one. Once again, I am left with the impression that the writing is deliberately bleak, abridged, and empty, but in an unattractive and "un-literary" manner.

The plot is extremely disjointed. At certain moments, I find myself completely at a loss, not knowing who I am reading or listening to. It is as if the story is a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, making it difficult to form a coherent whole.

The lack of a smooth narrative flow and the absence of a clear structure make it a challenging read. I struggle to engage with the characters and their experiences, as they seem to be mere shadows, lacking depth and substance.

Overall, this book has left me with a sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction. I had expected more from such a renowned author, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to my expectations.

Read this the night before Yom Kippur.

As I delved into it, I emerged with an abundance of thoughts to ponder.

The weight of being the heir of a fallible witness is a heavy one.

It's a concept that will linger in my mind for a long, long time.

I found myself reflecting on the implications and the responsibilities that come with such a role.

How do I navigate the uncertainties and the potential flaws that may have been passed down?

These questions swirled in my head, keeping me engaged and deeply contemplative.

The idea of being an heir to something that is not perfect is both humbling and challenging.

It makes me realize that I have to be even more vigilant and discerning in my own life.

Overall, this reading has had a profound impact on me, and I know it will continue to shape my thoughts and actions in the days and weeks to come.

I have a deep love for books that explore the Holocaust, but this particular one stands out from the majority of those I've perused.

This novel centers around a man who is gradually losing his memory due to Alzheimer's. He dispatches his journalist son back to Eastern Europe to unearth his tormented past. For Elhanan, recollecting the horrors of the past serves as a means to pay homage to the victims of the darkest era in history. As his mind deteriorates, he descends deeper and deeper into depression, believing that he is nothing without his memories.

In an effort to preserve that legacy for his son, Malkiel, Elhanan sends him to Romania to locate his grandfather's grave. Malkiel then encounters the gravedigger, who has his own tales to share about the man laid to rest in that grave.

This book cast a captivating spell over me. The narrative is so skillfully crafted that it's often effortless to overlook the transitions from the past to the present. I frequently found myself rereading those sections where the transitions occurred, simply to pick up the thread.

"The Forgotten" is not only about a father's love for his son but also a profound love for his people. It emphasizes the importance of honoring those who have lost their lives by never forgetting their suffering and passing on that legacy from one generation to the next.

"Three and a half" can be a rather interesting and unique concept. It could refer to a specific quantity or measurement that is not a whole number but rather a combination of three and an additional half.

For example, if we are talking about time, three and a half hours might seem like a significant chunk. It could be the length of a movie, a work shift, or a period of study. During those three and a half hours, a lot can happen.

In terms of numbers, three and a half can also have various implications. It might be used in calculations, such as when dividing or multiplying. It can add an element of complexity to mathematical operations.

Overall, "three and a half" is a simple yet intriguing phrase that can have different meanings and applications depending on the context. Whether it's related to time, numbers, or something else entirely, it always manages to catch our attention and make us think a little deeper.

A melancholic and sad book. As a fan of this theme, this book is different from all the others I have read about the Holocaust.

It delves deep into the emotions and experiences of those who lived through that tragic period. The author's writing style is so vivid that it makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters, sharing their pain and suffering.

What sets this book apart is its ability to not only tell the story of the Holocaust but also to explore the human spirit in the face of such extreme adversity. It shows how people can find strength and hope even in the darkest of times.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in history, human nature, or simply a powerful and moving story.

I feel that I have a debt to Elie Wiesel. That I should have read him before. That I must honor him, although I'm not quite sure why.

I have been listening to him in various interviews he gave before his death and after reading his Witness and his Open Heart, I loved him even more. What a great guy.

This book is melancholy and sad, and it also seemed complex and confusing to me because of the handling of time. I enjoyed it a lot and at times I wanted to finish it already.

Strange.

Just like my love-hate relationship with the author.

Elie Wiesel is an incredibly talented author, and this latest work of his is yet another masterpiece.

From the very first page, I was completely captivated by his words. The way he weaves a story, bringing the characters and events to life, is simply remarkable.

His writing has a power and a depth that few others can match. It makes you think, it makes you feel, and it stays with you long after you've finished reading.

I find myself constantly drawn back to his works, eager to explore more of his unique perspective on life, on history, and on the human condition.

Elie Wiesel's writing is a gift, and I feel truly privileged to be able to experience it. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next.

Such beautiful writing. It is like a gentle breeze caressing our hearts, carrying with it the power to touch the deepest emotions within us. Each word seems to be carefully chosen, crafted with precision and love, to create a masterpiece that leaves us in awe. The flow of the text is seamless, guiding us through a world of imagination and inspiration. We are drawn in by the vivid descriptions, the captivating stories, and the profound insights. It is a joy to read, a pleasure that lingers long after the last word has been read. Such beautiful writing has the ability to transform our lives, to make us see the world in a new light, and to inspire us to create something beautiful of our own.

Wiesel’s novels have a tendency to present a set of rather predictable character types. There is the survivor, who has endured the horrors of the past. Then there is the Zionist partisan, actively involved in the cause. And the second generation son, constantly grappling with the weight of Jewish history.

The themes that Wiesel explores are almost always centered around memory and the crucial need to remember. Silence also holds great importance, as does the search for a meaningful Jewish identity.

While reading through Wiesel’s body of work, this pattern can become somewhat predictable. However, in this particular novel, the story unfolds in an interesting way. An aging Holocaust survivor and Zionist partisan, now working as a therapist in NYC, is gradually losing his memory due to Alzheimer's.

The father’s life is vividly recalled through flashbacks, including his marriage to a Yemenite Zionist activist. What makes this novel truly fascinating are the few short episodes where the journalist son has to confront Israel’s violations of human rights during the Palestinian Intifada.

We also discover that the son had engaged in affairs with an Arab radical in college and a German journalist. As a story, it has its merits, with more interethnic relationships than in any other Wiesel novel.