Night

By: Elie Wiesel

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 4 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Gold Medal, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel offers an unforgettable account of Hitler's horrific reign of terror in Night. This definitive edition features a new translation from the original French by Wiesel's wife and frequent translator, Marion Wiesel.

Night is an unmistakably autobiographical account of the author's own gruesome experiences in Nazi Germany's death camps. Told through the eyes of 14-year-old Eliezer, the tragic fate of the Jews from the little town of Sighet unfolds with a heart-wrenching inevitability. Even as they are stuffed into cattle cars bound for Auschwitz, the townspeople refuse to believe rumors of anti-Semitic atrocities. Not until they are marched toward the blazing crematory at the camp's "reception center" does the terrible truth sink in.

Recounting the evils at Auschwitz and Buchenwald, Wiesel's enduring classic of Holocaust literature raises questions of continuing significance for all future generations: How could man commit these horrors, and could such an evil ever be repeated?

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©1972, 1985 Elie Wiesel
Originally published in 1958 by Les Editions de Minuit
Translation 2006 by Marion Wiesel
Preface to the New Translation 2006 Elie Wiesel
(P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"Elie Wiesel’s memoir of life in the Nazi death camps has been reissued with a new translation by Wiesel’s wife, Marion. Read by George Guidall, this new edition is a brilliant and haunting reminder of these horrific crimes, as well as a testament to Wiesel’s faith and resilience. Guidall is the ideal reader, and gives yet another masterful performance. Every word Guidall utters reminds the listener of the fear, the suffering, and the hatred Wiesel witnessed and experienced as he drew upon his every instinct to fight for survival. The audio edition also contains a new preface by Wiesel, as well as Guidall’s performance of Wiesel’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. NIGHT is already a classic, and this audio edition is a superb complement to the text. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award." (AudioFile magazine)

"[A] slim volume of terrifying power." (The New York Times)

A powerfully moving piece for all audiences

The aftermath of reading this book can only be described as a haunting, indelible mark upon the reader's day, week, or life. While in itself the writing is simple and at times all too concise, this book mercilessly brings those generations born in the safety of today into the horrors of survival in the Holocaust. As always, Guidall uses his masterful understanding of storytelling to bring an already vivid piece of literature into our world. While I may not recommend this as a light read, anyone who has sought out the feeling of a survivor need look no further.

Excellence?

What did you love best about Night?

The sincere nature of the of the events regarding ordinary, everyday people.

What other book might you compare Night to and why?

On most levels, I would say 'QB VII'. Both books tell the gripping stories of a period in history that is telling.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

I like his character portrayal.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when he realizes that he is the only survivor of his family. The complete loss of everything that he cherished.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the book as it taught me some valuable lesson in life. I especially liked Mr. Wiesel comments on people who knew of the atrocities and stood by and did absolutely nothing. The tragedy that happen and the aftermath.

av hard piece of human nature

though absolutely important that stories as such are shared and understood. you learn a lot from it, about society, humans and yourself. there's a dark and weak side in each of us.

Never forget

Excellent historical read. Perfect for a classroom. I read this book many years ago. I revisited it with the audible. We cab

Probably the most important book of my life.

I am left trying to understand. Not the words or even any hidden meaning. The truth of this narrative does not require over-wrought symbolism. This narrative, the impossible account of man's inhumanity to man, is straightforward enough to gut your dreams. No, I am left trying to understand ... simply that. The man I want to be. The terrible demons in a human experience. I am left longing to understand the true nature of God and man, of heaven and endless night. This may yet be the most important book of my life. For now, it shall remain deeply haunting, moving, and bare. It is simultaneously a window and mirror to the very collective and individual soul of man. Riveting. Spellbinding. Vital. It is all of this and more. A must-ponder book. One to cherish and yet loathe in fear. Above all this, somehow I feel hope in knowing this man survived and carried with him the voice of millions now gone, but not lost forever. For in God, nothing is lost forever, I pray.

Sobering

A sobering read. I was difficult for me to listen a lot at at time because it's such a painful subject, but I had to remind myself that although it's natural for me to push it away and ignore these horrifying events, they happened, and I must remember and learn from them.

What more can I add?

Many, many better reviewers than I have written eloquently on why you MUST read/listen to this book. My comments, then, have to do with the narrator.

Why oh why do so many fawn over George Guidall? He sounds EXACTLY the same in each book he narrates - pacing, emphasis, tone, and even spitting. Yes, spitting. I wouldn't want to be within a few feet of him as he speaks, as he always sounds as if there is saliva at the front of his tongue & mouth. Instead of swallowing, he allows us to hear the little breaks he uses to swish more saliva to the front, so he can go on spitting out the words. Gag.

I also think his narration style is boring. Just boring. The first time I ever listened to a book read by him, the slow, soporific, and lugubrious tone actually fit the story. Then I heard him read a book that was funny, or should have been; his reading sounded the same as when he read the first book, with no chance for real humor peeking through. I'm not saying he has to sound jolly, but geez! Others can let you hear humor without sounding excessively mirthful. His readings always seem almost funereal.

Many years have passed since then, and I'm still disappointed whenever a book I wish to listen to is narrated by ol' GG. Most of the time - like with this book - I can get past it (& it IS appropriate for the theme of this book), but that wet mouth with all the extraneous spitting sounds have me swallowing excessively, as if to help him along, throughout the reading.

I know all the GG fans out there will mark me down as "unhelpful", but I'm hoping Mr. Guidall reads this & all the many other very similar reviews of him, gets over his bad self, & starts swallowing as well as learning other techniques for bringing life to an audiobook.

Overwhelming

Thought provoking
Every school child should be required to read this, we should never forget what happened.

School requirement

Might we consider this book as a graduation requirement? We cannot pass up this experience.

Devastating. Please listen.

Highly recommend this book. Words do not do it justice. Also a superb reading by the narrator.