Saturday, March 04, 2006
The Reader - by Bernhard Schlink
"The Reader" is a special book about post-WWII era in Germany, providing a window into the struggle and conflicts of the post-war generation in confronting the past. Michael's book is written as a personal diary, depicting an extra-ordinary love story between 15 years old boy and a 36 years old woman, through which we discover the ambivalent and conflicting approach of Germens to the Holocaust with a mix of guilt, shame, denial and detachment. A truly moving book which addresses this sensitive issue in a very unusual way.
If This Is a Man - by Primo Levi
This may not be an easy topic or book to read, but if you are interested in reading a testimonial of someone who was a victim of the Holocaust, reading a Primo Levi book, and especially this one, is a must.
Levi tells the story of his life in Auschwitz. He describes the details of everyday life, building a vivid picture of how horrifying and in-human was life in the death camps. What is inconceivable at first, but becomes painfully realistic, is how the Nazis managed to transform the Jews into sub-humans, only worring about survival, even at the expense of others. It is only at the end of the Auschwitz ordeal that Levi states that he feels human again. He captures many moments so well that they become entrenched in your memory.
Levi wrote many other books including the 2 other books of his trilogy on his Holocaust experience covering his journey back home to Italy at the end of the war, and living as a survivor of the holocaust; as well as other books, not all related to the holocaust.
In many of the books we get a glimpse into the depth of the human spirit and its strength as a key to survival.
I am sure after reading this one you will want to read more of his books.
Levi tells the story of his life in Auschwitz. He describes the details of everyday life, building a vivid picture of how horrifying and in-human was life in the death camps. What is inconceivable at first, but becomes painfully realistic, is how the Nazis managed to transform the Jews into sub-humans, only worring about survival, even at the expense of others. It is only at the end of the Auschwitz ordeal that Levi states that he feels human again. He captures many moments so well that they become entrenched in your memory.
Levi wrote many other books including the 2 other books of his trilogy on his Holocaust experience covering his journey back home to Italy at the end of the war, and living as a survivor of the holocaust; as well as other books, not all related to the holocaust.
In many of the books we get a glimpse into the depth of the human spirit and its strength as a key to survival.
I am sure after reading this one you will want to read more of his books.
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