I have a question for you, father. What is better: to hold a fruit or to be able to name it?

It's a moment of truce, of respite. After the "crisis", each aggravation is called like this. Elhanan seems to be doing better. In a better mood, he takes on a professorial tone:

The superiority of Adam resided in his ability to name the animals that God showed him. Not being able to name things was for the Romans the ultimate curse: "Nomina Perdimus Rerum", they complained. A deaf person does not hear the words, but he knows them. A mute does not pronounce them, but he understands them. But what is an apple for a blind gardener?

This question makes us think deeply about the nature of knowledge and perception. Holding a fruit gives us a direct physical experience of it, but being able to name it allows us to communicate and classify it. Both aspects have their importance. For a blind gardener, an apple may have a different meaning. He may not be able to see its color or shape, but he can still know it through touch, smell, and taste. And perhaps, in his own way, he can give it a name that is meaningful to him.

So, which is better? Maybe the answer is that both are necessary. We need to have a direct experience of the world around us, but we also need to be able to communicate and share our knowledge with others.

This is a really good and solid book.

At times, it may seem a bit lagging and at other times, a bit vague. However, these very qualities might be what makes a book solid for me.

As Malkiel delves into his father's past, he uncovers not only things about his father but also about himself, his own life, and his history as a descendant of a Holocaust survivor.

Elhanen is a truly unique character. He only wishes to tell his son (and by extension, the reader) his story because he is afraid of losing it. He is not a sappy character who dwells on the past with bitterness or a desire for vengeance. Instead, he is a man who is facing his own mortality and the impending loss of his individuality. After all, what is memory if not our sense of self? He must convey his thoughts to his son to prevent further loss.

Malkiel is an extremely attentive son. In fact, he is almost unbelievably so. As a journalist, he had a remarkable lack of interest in his father's past prior to the onset of Alzheimer's.

I really liked the juxtaposition of the past and the present and the hodge-podge nature of the storytelling. It flows in a way that is very similar to how our own thoughts can flow.

Sitting here, now, talking to someone can trigger memories of the past, which then surface throughout the course of the book.

I also enjoyed Wiesel's commentary on several important themes.

Regarding living in the moment, Wiesel writes, "To live in the moment, to hold desire and fulfillment in one's grasp, to fuse with someone else, with oneself; to become infinity."

He also emphasizes the importance of being aware of the present, stating, "The moment possesses its own power, its own eternity, just as love creates its own absolute."

Wiesel also comments on overcoming fear, especially in relationships. He writes, "Do you think I'm not afraid? I'm afraid of growing old, and ugly, and sick; I'm afraid of dying."

However, he also believes that we should not let fear prevent us from loving and living.

Finally, Wiesel touches on the theme of revenge, stating, "We do not make one human suffer for the sins of another."

Overall, this book is definitely worth reading. It offers a different perspective on the Holocaust, focusing less on the events that happened to a Jewish person during WWII and more on an individual's experience of the war and his life.

If you subscribe to the principle of "write what you know" - and even if you don't - Wiesel is truly in a category all by himself. He stands above Dillard, Buechner, Achebe, and indeed, everybody else. When you pick up his work, you find yourself reading the whole damn thing with a lump firmly lodged in your throat. There is something about Wiesel's writing that is so powerful, so moving, that it affects you on a deep, emotional level. It's as if his words have the ability to reach into your soul and touch the very core of your being. I often feel like washing my hands and lighting a candle before reading Wiesel, as if I am about to enter a sacred space. His work demands respect, attention, and a willingness to face the harsh realities of the world. It is a privilege to read Wiesel, and his words will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

This was my second reading of this book. Strangely enough, I had no recollection of it whatsoever. It's rather ironic, considering that memory and memory loss are central themes of the book.

I really wanted to believe that it was a great read, but unfortunately, I found it extremely boring.每当我们学习历史部分时，我会精神一振，然而当回到故事的虚构部分时，我就会打瞌睡（常常是真的睡着），尽管我觉得它并非真正的虚构，而是一个存在于所有犹太人心目中的故事。有时我真想把这一切都抛开；责任、历史的重担、悲伤。然而，你不能让祖先失望。你也不能让你的孩子失望。

So, in conclusion, the book was very true, very deep, but also very boring to read.

Delayed reaction: crying. It hurts. （总共有300字左右）

Really, I had an extremely hard time getting through this one. There were a lot of lagging parts that made it a bit of a struggle. Maybe it was just that the topic of Alzheimer's hit a little too close to home for me. It brought back memories and emotions that I had tried to push aside. The idea of someone losing their memory and the ability to recognize those they love is truly heart-wrenching. It made me think about all the people I know who have been affected by this disease. It also made me realize how precious our memories are and how important it is to cherish every moment. I hope that one day, a cure will be found for Alzheimer's so that no one else has to go through the pain and suffering that comes with it.

A beautiful book that delves into both symbolic and actual things. It explores the profound love between a son and his father, and vice versa.

At the beginning of the book, there is a beautiful Jewish prayer that sets a spiritual tone. The son also has a beautiful love interest, adding another layer of depth to the story.

The theme of death is ever-present, as it seems to always be observing us from over our shoulder. However, the well-told tale is captivating, invigorating, and truly special.

It also showcases wisdom that emerges from unlikely people and circumstances. We see how the faith of an ancient people sustained them in the most dire of situations.

As the Psalms say, "The Heavens declare the Glory of the Lord, Night after Night they pour forth speech." This book is a testament to the power of faith, love, and the human spirit.

I cannot 'rate' a holocaust novel, fictitious or true.

The Holocaust is an event of such magnitude and horror that it defies any attempt at quantification or evaluation in the traditional sense of rating.

Whether the novel is based on real events or is a work of fiction inspired by the Holocaust, it carries with it the weight of history and the suffering of countless individuals.

To rate such a novel seems almost disrespectful, as if we could somehow measure the impact and significance of the Holocaust with a simple number or grade.

Instead, we should approach these novels with a sense of solemnity and respect, allowing ourselves to be moved and educated by the stories they tell.

We should use them as a means to remember the past, to honor the victims, and to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.

In this way, we can do justice to the power and importance of Holocaust literature.

I wonder if Elie Wiesel, then a man of New York, could have foreseen how the subject matter in this and similar novels would impact the first-time reader in the seething political climate of the United States in 2024. Unquestioned and unanswered inquiries pile up as the multiple generations of characters in this book unfold and interact with one another. At what juncture do we determine for ourselves and others which acts of violence are justifiable and which are not? This is likely unanswerable for numerous reasons. Chief among them is that we cannot know every individual, and even if we did, it is impossible to share like ideals when war is waged. I'm uncertain what Elie is experiencing here or what he would implore the reader to feel, but it appears he would desire you to at least comprehend that you have the right to be completely bewildered by what has become of us in this world. War is truly a horror.

As in other Elie Wiesel novels, the topics of Israel and Palestine and the generations of violence are a delicate wound set within boundless sorrow. What, ultimately, is a work of art that is a plea for peace? Other than just a work of art? Such are the questions that linger.

These complex themes force us to confront the harsh realities of our world and the consequences of our actions. Wiesel's writing serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking peace and understanding in the face of seemingly insurmountable conflict.

I will never think of Alzheimer's in quite the same way again.

It is truly an important reflection on generations and what we remember. Alzheimer's is a disease that not only affects the individuals suffering from it but also has a profound impact on their families and the society as a whole.

It makes us realize the significance of memory and how precious it is. As we age, our memories become a part of our identity, and losing them can be a terrifying experience.

This disease also highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships. We need to cherish the time we have with our elders and listen to their stories and experiences.

By doing so, we can not only preserve their memories but also gain a deeper understanding of our own history and culture.

In conclusion, Alzheimer's has taught me to value memory and the connections we have with our loved ones. It has made me more aware of the importance of taking care of our elders and ensuring that their voices are heard and their memories are preserved.

One of the very few books to ever make me cry was truly a remarkable piece of literature.

It had the power to touch my emotions in a way that no other book had before.

The story was so beautifully crafted, with characters that felt real and relatable.

As I turned the pages, I found myself completely immersed in their world, sharing their joys and sorrows.

The author's writing style was both engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

It was as if I was right there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

The book dealt with themes that were both profound and universal, making it a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with a sense of sadness and a newfound appreciation for the power of words.

It was a book that I will never forget and one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

The memories related to the Holocaust were truly profound and heart-rending. It wasn't just the horror of the genocide that made it so, but rather the way the book managed to make the reader experience the very same emotions of shock, dismay, panic, and devastation. The reader was effectively transported to Romania and Poland, right alongside the victims, as they witnessed the inhumanity of man towards man.

The stories recounted by the Father, Elhanan, and by the grave digger in Romania were truly wonderful. However, the majority of the action and thought processes in the book centered around the son, Malkiel, who worked as a writer of obituaries for a New York newspaper.

Malkiel had never married his live-in girlfriend, even though they were regarded as a married couple. Moreover, long sections of the book dealt with his various affairs, both in the US and in Eastern Europe, where he traveled to investigate the epitaphs on tombstones from the pre-Holocaust era.

The book seemed very disjointed, and I struggled to understand how these affairs fit into the overall plot. It was as if someone had精心 set a beautiful table for a formal dinner and then spoilt it by placing cheap, plastic flowers at each setting.

So, on the one hand, the book, like many of Wiesel's others, had the potential for a solid 5-star rating. But on the other hand, it also seemed to merit a 1-star rating. In the end, I decided to split the difference.

This is a book that delves deep into the profound themes of memory and forgiveness.

It likely holds great value and offers many insights. However, for me, in this current pandemic time, it feels just too overly wordy and heavy.

The language seems to be overly complex and convoluted, making it a bit of a struggle to get through.

Perhaps in a different context, when my mind is less preoccupied with the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic, I might be more able to fully appreciate and engage with the ideas presented in this book.

But for now, it sits on my shelf, waiting for a more opportune moment when I can give it the attention and focus it deserves.

Until then, I'll continue to explore other literary works that are more suited to my current state of mind.