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bobbo49's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting reflection by Weisel on his open heart surgery and near-death experiences in 2011; despite his Holocaust experiences and post-WW II life works, he was not prepared to let go of his family and dreams quite yet. He mixes despair at the ongoing world travails (how could we allow all of the genicide that followed the Holocaust?) with his unfailing belief in working toward a better world.
kszr's review against another edition
5.0
Reflections on life - how much was done, how much was left, and Elie Wiesel's view on G-d
As always, compelling writing, incredibly thought provoking
As always, compelling writing, incredibly thought provoking
owloutstanding's review against another edition
4.0
This is what breaks my heart: "[I]n my combat against hatred, which I wished to be unrelenting, did I in fact invest enough time, enough energy, in denouncing fanaticism in its various guises? Evidently not, since all of us who have fought the battle must now admit defeat. At the time of the liberation of the camps, I remember, we were convinced that after Auschwitz there would be no more wars, no more racism, no more hatred, no more anti-Semitism. W were wrong. This produced a feeling close to despair. For if Auschwitz could not cure mankind of racism, was there any chance of success ever? The fact is, the world has learned nothing. Otherwise, how is one to comprehend the atrocities committed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia . . .?" (50-51).
sammantha's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death
stephb413's review against another edition
3.0
A brief, but moving narrative where Wiesel reflects on his life and coming to terms with the notion of nearing towards the end of his life.
jmartin's review against another edition
4.0
For a man that has witnessed such atrocities in life to have such an optimistic view of the world is amazing. What an inspiring short read.
blueranger9's review against another edition
4.0
"Since God is, He is to be found in the questions as well as in the answers."
The last time I read a book by Elie Wiesel, I was a high school freshman living in an incredibly diverse though predominantly Jewish community. The collective stories and hardships of the Jewish people were deeply ingrained in my psyche, and I only wish I had been a little older to truly grapple with what he was conveying.
The intersection of terrible anguish and gut wrenching beauty converges in Wiesel's Open Heart. It's a quick read, yet the nuggets of insight and philosophy are not to be missed in the 79 pages. There are too many moments of astounding pain. Very few would be able to truly grasp what he means when he says, "I belong to a generation that has often felt abandoned by God and betrayed by mankind. And yet I believe that we must not give up on either...Even in the darkness it is possible to create light and encourage compassion."
I'm left in awe. I'm blown away by this collective resilience and beauty in a broken world. As the last survivors leave us, I always wonder who will remain to continually remind the world of what happened. I am heartened by Wiesel's response that, "The brain will be buried memory will survive it." All I can think of is Maya Angelou's famous phrase, "...and still I rise."
The last time I read a book by Elie Wiesel, I was a high school freshman living in an incredibly diverse though predominantly Jewish community. The collective stories and hardships of the Jewish people were deeply ingrained in my psyche, and I only wish I had been a little older to truly grapple with what he was conveying.
The intersection of terrible anguish and gut wrenching beauty converges in Wiesel's Open Heart. It's a quick read, yet the nuggets of insight and philosophy are not to be missed in the 79 pages. There are too many moments of astounding pain. Very few would be able to truly grasp what he means when he says, "I belong to a generation that has often felt abandoned by God and betrayed by mankind. And yet I believe that we must not give up on either...Even in the darkness it is possible to create light and encourage compassion."
I'm left in awe. I'm blown away by this collective resilience and beauty in a broken world. As the last survivors leave us, I always wonder who will remain to continually remind the world of what happened. I am heartened by Wiesel's response that, "The brain will be buried memory will survive it." All I can think of is Maya Angelou's famous phrase, "...and still I rise."
aelane23's review against another edition
5.0
80 pages. 80 pages of philosophy and musings on death...and life...and how we should then live and love others. Excellent read.