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shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
This is a short ramble through Elie Wiesel's mind as he faced open heart surgery at age 82. He recalls his life, his beloved family members who died in the Holocaust, his accomplishments and his deep love for wife, son and grandchildren - those who give his survival meaning. As he prepared for surgery, his fear was real and he was not ashamed to say so.
nomadtla's review against another edition
4.0
An honest and charming look at the thoughts that one has when a medical condition causes you to confront your own mortality. Made more touching by the gentle words of a man who survived the shadow of death marches and death camps. His is truly a beautiful soul that still searches for God and love despite the evil and despair he has witnessed.
tlindhorst's review against another edition
4.0
A brief, poignant reflection on both open heart surgery and his past.
soundslikeashley's review against another edition
5.0
A quick yet stimulating read as all of Mr. Wiesel's works are. I listened to the audiobook and know I'll be picking up a physical copy to add to my personal library. Mr. Wiesel's ability to simply write down his honest thoughts and feelings as he aged and dealt with illness and came face-to-face with his mortality time and again, is touching and relatable. He asks the ideological, theological, spiritual questions many of us have been too afraid to voice aloud or write down. And his bravery makes everything he writes a clarion call of radical honesty and altruism to those who'll engage with his work.
ellie_outdoors's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this on audiobook and finished it in three car rides. It’s a quick spiritual book about the difficult and beautiful moments in life. There were several observations Wiesel made about the tenderness of relationships that made me audibly say “yes.” A very touching read.
rebeccalm's review against another edition
3.0
A short little book of last thoughts. When unexpectedly faced with open heart surgery, the author's thoughts and feelings about death become more real and less cerebral, and his memories still beg to be told and immortalized so as not to be forgotten when he is no longer here.
vmars314's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn't a bad read, especially since it was so short. It just jumped around a little too much between current time and past reflection where sometimes I wasn't sure what time I was reading about.
courtego's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I listened to this on my commute in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah. It was a beautiful reflection, and one that connected to me deeply as a hospice nurse. It is well worth the time.