Student Companion to Elie Wiesel

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Description

Since it was written nearly 50 years ago, Night (1958) has changed world perception of the Holocaust experience. Wiesel's oeuvre, including Holocaust narratives such as Dawn (1961), novels, essays, tales, and plays, has also altered the critical and aesthetic landscape through which we view literature, placing themes of religious identity, hope, survival, devotion to family, and humanity ahead of distinctions of fiction and nonfiction. This volume offers critical analysis of all of Wiesel's major writings, with full chapters on Night, Dawn, The Oath, and four other full-length works. His most recent five novels, including The Testament (1980) and Twilight (1987), are also covered. Plot, character development, thematic concerns, and style are discussed, as are historical contexts and alternate critical perspectives. This volume is an indispensable tool for students, whether they are encountering Night for the first time, revisiting Wiesel's literary contributions, or discovering the author's recent works, such as The Judges (1999). A biographical section relates the tragic events of Wiesel's life to his inspirational writings. A literary heritage chapter offers an overview of his achievements and situates his works within the Western literary tradition and the historical and religious frameworks. A separate chapter covers Wiesel's nonfiction writings, including his most important essays, tales, and studies. A bibliography of selected sources is included.

Reviews

"Sanford Sternlicht has produced an excellent book for the general reader who knows some of Elie Wiesel's writings and wants to learn more about his work....[r]eaders will be delighted with Sternlicht's sensitive and elegant analysis of Wiesel's contribution to literature in the post-Holocaust era."-Jewish Observer
Sanford Sternlicht has produced an excellent book for the general reader who knows some of Elie Wiesel's writings and wants to learn more about his work....[r]eaders will be delighted with Sternlicht's sensitive and elegant analysis of Wiesel's contribution to literature in the post-Holocaust era.-Jewish Observer
Students who know Anne Frank need to meet Elie Wiesel. Both were teenagers during World War II. Wiesel, however, was not hidden by his neighbors and managed to survive the Holocaust....Highly recommended.-Gale/Free Resources/Reference Reviews
"Students who know Anne Frank need to meet Elie Wiesel. Both were teenagers during World War II. Wiesel, however, was not hidden by his neighbors and managed to survive the Holocaust....Highly recommended."-Gale/Free Resources/Reference Reviews

Author Bio

SANFORD STERNLICHT teaches in Syracuse University's English Department and Judaic Studies Program. He is the author of Chaim Potok: A Critical Companion (Greenwood 2000). He also frequently writes on poetry and Irish literature, including contributions to Modern Irish Writers: A Bio-Critical Sourcebook (Greenwood 1997).