I want to read this again as a physical book instead of as an audio book.

There is something truly special about holding a physical book in your hands. The feel of the paper, the smell of the ink, and the ability to flip through the pages at your own pace.

With an audio book, you are at the mercy of the narrator's speed and interpretation. You can't easily go back and reread a passage or skip ahead to a section that interests you.

Reading a physical book allows for a more immersive and personalized experience. You can highlight important passages, make notes in the margins, and truly engage with the text.

It also gives you a break from technology and allows you to disconnect and unwind. So, the next time you have the option, choose a physical book and enjoy the simple pleasure of reading.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to read and teach "Night and Dawn." However, it was only yesterday that I delved into "Day/The Accident."

This edition, published in 1961, features a short preface by Wiesel. He remarks that it is his story - and yet not. "I speak through my protagonist, but he does not speak for me."

I believe the essence of the book is encapsulated in the reference to Hamlet. The question isn't simply "to be or not to be," but rather "to be and not to be."

My mind wanders to the Shoah series and interviews with survivors, their children, SS guards, and their descendants. I contemplate the impossibility of experiencing someone else's suffering, as well as the meaning of suffering and God's role in human lives.

Eliezer, a journalist survivor, finds himself hospitalized, severely injured in a car accident. He is unable to love, unable to lift the black veil of his grandmother that seems to invert the world. He cannot let go of his memories; they prevent him from forgiving, living, or casting off that which hinders life.

In the final few pages, his friend Gyula, an artist, paints his portrait during the last days of hospitalization. When confronted with the portrait, Eliezer may realize (he appears to) that Gyula might be correct when he states, "You should know that the dead, because they are no longer free, are no longer able to suffer. Only the living can... you must think of us. Not of them." And then Gyula burns the painting, but leaves the ashes.

I didn't find this to be quite as thought-provoking as Wiesel's other works. However, this novel does convey its own unique angle. The others only hinted at regarding the terrible residual effects of the Holocaust for the survivors.

It makes me think of that haunting prelude to All Quiet on the Western Front. It said it depicted those who, "while they may have survived the bombs, were destroyed by the war."

This novel also conveys a similar truth about the Holocaust. The survivors, though they managed to live through the horrors, were deeply scarred and affected. The emotional and psychological toll on them is immense.

The result is truly tragic. They carry the burden of the past with them every day, unable to fully escape the memories and the pain. It is a reminder of the long-lasting and devastating consequences of such a heinous event.

This book is truly and incredibly sad. It takes you on a journey that, in the end, does reach a point somewhat close to what one might expect. What stands out as most interesting to me is the unique perspective it offers, which is vastly different from the majority of what I've read about Holocaust survivors. Typically, their stories are presented as tales of perseverance, triumph, and being grateful for having survived. However, in this book, the author delves into aspects that are often overlooked.

Almost no one seems to discuss the survivors' guilt or the PTSD they might be suffering from. I suppose it's because that generation was more of the "suffer in silence" type, and as a result, their ongoing struggle with life in the aftermath gets pushed aside and forgotten. To be honest, I'm certain that even if they had tried to talk about it at the time, it would have been grossly misunderstood. The author describes the survivors as spiritual cripples, saying, "These people have been amputated; they haven't lost their legs or eyes but their will and their taste for life." He also describes humans as God's toys, and the hopelessness and despair are palpable. Yet, from a 21st-century perspective, it is completely understandable.

It was truly shocking to me when his girlfriend says, "You tell me you love me but you refuse to forget [your past]." I simply cannot fathom anyone being so cruel, heartless, or selfish as to tell someone they need to forget surviving a concentration camp or witnessing the death of their family. How could such a thing even happen? How could anyone ever forget such atrocities?

Thankfully, at the end, he realizes that he cannot spend the rest of his life dwelling only on what he has lost. He says, "I would choose the living or the dead. Day or night." This is exactly what I had been hoping for from this series - a glimmer of hope and a way forward after surviving something so unimaginable.

The review presents a balanced assessment of the work. On the positive side, the human interest aspect through Sarah's story is engaging and makes the reader eager to know more about her than the protagonist. This unique angle adds depth to the narrative. However, there are also some drawbacks. The story takes a long time to gain momentum, and the reader doesn't feel fully invested until three-quarters in. This makes it challenging to sympathize with the protagonist. Additionally, the theme of haunting is present, but perhaps not as strongly developed as in "Dawn". The imagery is a bit concise compared to the previous title, lacking the vividness that would allow the reader to truly envision the protagonist's experiences. Finally, the end of the series is abrupt, leaving the reader with a sense of incompleteness. It's unclear if this was intended to reflect the reality that not all Holocaust survivors had a moment of revelation or closure, or if there was another book planned that was never written.

Night was truly excellent. It was a powerful non-fiction work that delved deep into the horrors of the Holocaust. Wiesel's writing was poignant and vivid, making the reader feel as if they were right there with him.

Dawn, on the other hand, was also quite good. It had a decent story line that added another layer to the overall trilogy. The characters were well-developed, and the plot kept the reader engaged.

Day, however, was just okay. While it had its moments, the story line seemed to take a back seat to the more philosophical aspects of the book. It was a bit of a letdown after the first two installments.

Still, I'm glad that I read the trilogy. Even though it's strange that it consists of both fiction and non-fiction, it was an interesting and thought-provoking experience. I'm also glad that I buddy read it, as it allowed me to discuss and analyze the books with someone else.

I'll probably read some more of Wiesel's work at a later date, but I'm not in any particular rush. Especially after this somewhat disappointing end, I need some time to process and reflect on what I've read.

This last book of the trilogy was significantly better than Dawn. It had a certain charm and depth that made it a great read. However, it still couldn't quite match up to the excellence of Night.

The ending of this book was truly remarkable. The author's use of a figurative painting of his past laid in ashes on the floor of his hospital room was a stroke of literary genius. It added a layer of symbolism and emotion that was truly captivating.

Although the second book was considered the "weak link" of the trilogy, it still had its own merits. Reading all of the books straight through from start to finish provides a complete and immersive experience. It allows the reader to fully understand the characters, the plot, and the overall theme of the trilogy.

In conclusion, while each book in the trilogy has its own strengths and weaknesses, they all contribute to a wonderful and engaging story. I highly recommend this trilogy to any avid reader.

This is the third book in Elie Wiesel's Night trilogy. In contrast to the first book, this one takes the form of a novel. Wiesel, a Jewish survivor of the concentration camps where his entire family was brutally murdered, pens this powerful work.

The book delves into the life of a man who is grappling with a myriad of complex issues. He struggles with his identity, burdened by the weight of survivors' guilt. His relationship with God is called into question, and he wrestles with matters of love, belonging, and the very concept of happiness. All of this is set against the backdrop of having lost everything to the horrors of the Holocaust.

This is an extremely soul-heavy book. It presents a stark and unflinching portrayal of reality, vividly describing the depths of hopelessness and depression. It forces the reader to confront the atrocities of the past and the profound impact they have on the human psyche.

I made the error of reading reviews prior to reading this book.

I must admit that I am astonished by the large number of negative reviews. "Day" is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever encountered. The fact that it manages to achieve this status with such simple prose while dealing with numerous complex subjects is truly remarkable!

So often, reviewers have claimed that this book is "depressing." I beg to differ. This book is highly informative. It offers us a peek into human nature that is seldom discussed. It is more acceptable to talk about the horrors of the Holocaust than to address the monsters within us all, the dark corners that reside within each and every one of us, the suffering that all humans endure due to our connections to this world and to one another, and the judgments we pass on someone else's reasons for suffering.

These are indeed unpleasant aspects of the human condition, but nevertheless, they are real! I was not depressed at all. I read this book with my own intentions, and I got exactly what I was seeking. If your intention is to be entertained, then by all means, do not read this book! If your intention is to read about happy fairy tale endings, then this is not the book for you! However, if your intention is to be inspired to reevaluate your relationship with yourself, the world, and how you handle life's circumstances, then you must read this book!

As dark as the tale this book weaves is, and it is darker than anything I have ever read, there is still light that shines through its pages if you choose to see it. Gyula was extremely wise and added a complete and total conclusion to this book. It's a pity that so many people seem to have missed it.

Eliezer's quote about suffering is truly profound and memorable.

Suffering has the power to bring out the worst in a person. It can strip away our humanity and make us act in ways that we would never have imagined.

There comes a point in suffering where we reach a phase beyond which we become like brutes. We are willing to do anything, even sell our own souls and the souls of our friends, just for the sake of a piece of bread, some warmth, or a moment of oblivion and sleep.

This quote serves as a reminder of the harsh realities that people can face during times of extreme hardship. It shows us the importance of having the strength and courage to hold onto our values and humanity, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

We should always strive to be empathetic towards those who are suffering and do what we can to help them. At the same time, we should also be aware of our own vulnerability and make sure that we never let suffering drive us to the point where we lose our sense of self and our moral compass.

Does life have meaning after Auschwitz? This profound question is explored by the author in both "Dawn" and now "Day", albeit in two distinct environments. Interestingly, the main characters can be swapped and replace each other as they grapple with the same complex issues of morality, love, life, and death. If you're seeking an exercise in self-reflection and philosophy, this book is deeply thought-provoking. Here, the author endeavors to find meaning after such a horrendous event in one's life through the path of love. Can one love, or rather permit oneself to love, after witnessing the despair that one human can inflict upon another? How far would one go to lie in order to simultaneously preserve the love one isn't certain can be maintained and to distance oneself from fully experiencing the effects of love? To love is to hope, and to hope is to risk disappointment and loneliness in one's own despair and anguish. Is death preferable to the pain of life when that life is constantly overshadowed by the events that have molded one into who they are now? These and numerous other questions are delved into in a text that is at times difficult to comprehend and yet deeply self-aware of its own confusion, making it almost charming.

The sequel to Dawn is here, continuing Elisha's story. However, while it is good, it doesn't quite reach the level of being truly special. It feels like a bit of a letdown after the promise of the first book. I had such high hopes for this duology, but unfortunately, this installment didn't quite deliver all that I was hoping for. There were moments that were engaging and interesting, but overall, it just didn't have that extra something to make it stand out. I was left wanting more depth, more character development, and more excitement. Maybe I'm being too critical, but when you start a duology with such potential, you expect the conclusion to be equally as amazing.