Night - Elie Wiesel (Translated by Marion Wiesel)

Yes, I have to admit that Oprah led me to this book. I was watching her show one day and she interview Elie Wiesel and awarded college scholarships to the winners of her essay competition. (The students were required to write an essay on how 'Night' effected them.

The book is a memoir of Wiesel's time as a Jew in Europe during the second world war. The book follows Wiesel's journey from concentration camp to concentration camp as the end of the war draws near. We learn how Wiesel is unable to be shocked the the atrocities and why he is unable to sleep at night. The book is not a cheerful one, but I emensly enjoyed reading it.

The edition I have has only recently be translated from Yiddish to English by Wiesel's wife Marion. Wiesel tells us in the preface that this translation is much closer to the original text, that that which was translated some 45 years ago.

If I were to enter Oprah's essay compeition, I would write of emptiness that is Elie Wiesel at the time of liberation. He does not provide details of the months between his father's death and his own liberation. Horrors which I can not comprehend become a part of every day life for Wiesel and slowly, camp by camp, Wiesel is reduced to an emotionless human.

I recommend the reading of 'Night' simply for the amazing story of survival. Wiesel himself puts his survival down to chance, but he has used his chance to form some meaning of life.

Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs

Well this one, Running with Scissors, came highly recommended from Anna and I can definitely vouch for its promising beginning. However, the subject matter turned a little(?) unsavoury somewhere around Chapter 3, and I must say that I didn't enjoy this book very much at all.

I did complete the book (as I always do) and it is true that the unsavoury subject matter is punctuated by hilarious moments, but overall I wouldn't recommend this one. If you are able to accept this as a story rather than a memoir, you might have more success than I.

It is wonderfully written, but just not my cup of tea. Needless to say, I won't be purchasing Dry, Burroughs second book.

EDIT
I realised that I never actually told you what the book was about. The bare bones of the story is this: Augusten is 13 years old when his parents divorce and he is left to live with his mother who is battling her own internal demons. Through her battle, she has Augusten adopted by her psychiatrist. The story follows Augusten unusual life as he moves between his mother's house and the psychiatrist's house.

I also spoke with Anna today, and she tells me she has just completed Dry. Apparently, Dry is not as graphic as the first book, and follows Augusten through his drinking days and therapy. I may reconsider the reading of Dry.

Odd One Out - Monica McInerney

This book was a freebie as part of the Books Alive 2006 promotion. Having said that I quite enjoyed the book. It was an easy, fast read and I particularly enjoyed the book as it has many references to Melbourne (and I can easily relate to it!)

The books main charater is Sylvie who finds herself at a bit of a cross road in life. She agrees to housesit for her brother, which means a trip from her native Sydney to Melbourne. To entertain Sylvie, her brother organises a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt takes Sylvie across Melbourne, has her meeting new people, and most importantly of all, meets her father after a 21 year absence.

Sylvie makes some important decisions about her life throughout the book. She chooses a life which suits her, not one which others think that she should pursue. I guess this book has a special meaning for me at the moment as I am currently assessing my life. This is not the best book I have read, but is enjoyable and relaxing.