Europe

**Night.** **By Elie Wiesel.** 1958. 120p. Hill and Wang, $19.95 (9780374399979).  In a way, this novel is about perseverance and the will to live under unique circumstances as in the case of Elie Wiesel, a victim of the Holocaust. After being thrown from their neighborhood and transferred to another, Elie’s family becomes subject to the torturous concentration camps run by the Nazis during World War II. One night, during a midnight march called by the Nazi officers, Elie’s neighbors and family go outside to meet their fate when the officers tell everyone that they would be moving into the adjacent commune for the next few days while one by one, each of these Jews would be taken from their homes and brought to a concentration camp to face death once and for all. When they reach the neighboring homes, the Wiesel family is chosen to be the last to leave for the camps. They find their new home just as the previous owners had left; pots on the stove, water running, and beds unmade. It’s as if they had just placed themselves inside someone else’s world as slowly their own world comes to a halting screech as that dreaded night approaches. The Wiesel family is called outside where a group of soldiers is waiting for them to be shipped to the concentration camp location. They spend some time at that camp before having to move to a different one. They are subjected to extreme torture under harsh conditions. When the rest of Elie’s family dies from the horrible treatment at their camp in Auschwitz, Elie must fight for his life as he loses his parents, his siblings, and his childhood innocence. The matter of survival and trust plays an important role in this pulsing novel of the Wiesel family’s living hell. In writing his autobiography, Elie uses imagery to put the readers in his shoes as he walks through his dark past of cruelty and harassment. “If in my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one.” Wiesel pours his heart into this book and drags the reader along with him as he experiences pain and anguish with himself and with the Nazi’s in charge of his camp. While reading this book, one would ask, “Why him? Why Elie and //his// family?” Through his heartfelt writing and direct truthfulness, Wiesel explores his feelings as he takes his readers on a journey of answers to these questions. To this day, Wiesel holds strong convictions against the concentration camps and the mercilessness that they heaped upon him and his family. This book is truly inspiring, one of deep thought and consideration, one that deserves to be read. __Night__ is a tale for all teens and adults interested in the Holocaust and its massive effects on the people of the world today. It should be read in remembrance of its victims, especially those who have lived and are brave enough to tell their story. -Kimberly W.

1986, 159p. Raw Magazine, $14.00, (3-394-74723-2) Art Speigelman’s //Maus: A Survivor’s Tale// is aN autobiography in the form of a graphic novel. It is also a frame tale, the plot being of a modern artist and comic book writer-Art Speigelman- interviewing his stereotypically Jewish father –Vladek- who is a Holocaust veteran for the plot of his next book. Although most of the book consists of flashbacks to the Holocaust, there are several sections showing Art’s reactions to his father and his uprooted secrets. The flashbacks unravel the father’s history, weaving an emotional tale of tragedy after tragedy. The reader learns that Vladek only survived due to luck, wealth, and good connections. The novel can often be difficult to read, especially if the reader is not familiar with graphic novels. Mostly revolving around the writing, //Maus// is unusual for a graphic novel. The drawings, being simple and slightly crude, are mostly used to portray symbolism: the Jews are mice, the Germans are cats, and the Poles are pigs. The story is sometimes choppy and hard to follow, especially because Spiegelman leaves cliffhangers when he jumps back and forth between both plots. Also, since most of the characters are nearly impossible to tell apart, the dialogue can be difficult to understand. //Maus// is appropriate for young teenagers of any gender. The reader should also have experience with, and an attraction to, reading comics and graphic novels. In addition, the reader should enjoy works of history. //Maus: A Survivor’s Tale// might be a tough read, but it certainly pays off in the end. -Benji R
 * Maus: A Survivor's Tale****By Art Spiegelman**

(0394747232)
Art Spiegelman's graphic memoir of his father's life as a Holocaust survivor features Art, his father Vladek, and many people who play important roles in Vladek's past, including Art's late mother, Anja. This novel revolves around Art interviewing his father to learn about the story of his past, which he plans on adapting into a comic book. The setting switches between New York in the 1980s and Poland in the 1940s. As Art finds out more about his father's dark past, he comes to realize the method behind his madness, and his perspective of his father's strange behavior and the world itself gradually change from beginning to end. One very unique trait of this book is that the characters are not people, but animals. The animals all differ to symbolize the people's stance in the holocaust--the Jewish people are mice, the Nazis cats, the Christians pigs, and the Americans dogs. The theme of this novel could be taken in several ways, but in the end it is a bildungsroman that explores Vladek's coming of age in the midst of the chaos that surrounds him. Because this is a graphic novel, the writing style differs from that of many other books, but Spiegelman is a fantastic writer and excels in drawing in his readers. However, the dialog does tend to get repetitive, and there are a few minor grammatical errors spread throughout. The writing can be a bit choppy at times, but he manages to bring it back together fairly quickly. It might be a bit difficult to follow if the audience is not accustomed to reading graphic novels, but if the reader happens to be an avid comic book fan, the text placement and dialog bubbles are simple to apprehend. This novel, though slow at times, manages to come together quite smoothly. It has its share of flaws, however--as previously mentioned, it can get quite repetitive at times, and it is fairly simple to guess what happens next, which can bore impatient readers. Although there are quite a few action sequences, if the reader is expecting a stereotypical comic book with action and suspense from start to finish, he or she will be quite disappointed. However, if the reader is interested in an intelligent, historical novel that explores Polish culture in the 1940s and the horrific life of a Jew in the Holocaust, the book will be quite satisfying. This book is appropriate for all ages, although despite the child-friendly artwork, it might be difficult for young readers to understand. It does not have a specific target audience, but it is likely to be particularly entertaining for adolescents, adults, and mature readers. It is recommended that the reader has basic background knowledge of World War II, but not entirely necessary. This book is a brutally honest but downright fascinating, and audiences with the right expectations are sure to be engrossed from start to finish. From the unique style of artwork to Spiegelman's use of symbolism, this book certainly does not disappoint. //-Allison M//

2004. 368p. Vintage International, $15.95 (9781400033881) By describing his homeland, Pamuk turns this novel into not only a portrayal of Istanbul, but a memoir of his own life. He focuses on certain aspects of Istanbul's history, tying them into his own childhood experiences as he writes. Pamuk displays how the ominous city is a reflection of his own personality. Since Istanbul is located in the country of Turkey, it lies in both Europe and Asia. This produces a mix of cultures and a complex history. Orhan and his family move from place to place around Istanbul, from the run down areas to the beautiful town overlooking the Bosphorus River. In all of these places, Orhan constantly explores every possible aspect of the city. He is intrigued by Istanbul’s past and how it is becoming forgotten in the modernized city. Being a native of the city, he captures the culture and importance of these overlooked gems. By doing this, his life is deeply influenced by the gloomy aura of Istanbul. Orhan goes through a phase of depression where he is concerned about his future. Not knowing what he wants to do in his life, he becomes more mischievous and starts to skip his classes. He goes through the hardships of living in the ruins of a city. At first, Pamuk’s dream is to become a painter or an architect. However, through his experiences he is led to the decision of becoming a writer. In addition, he incorporates the affects of Westernization on Turkey. As he prefers the old Ottoman Empire, Pamuk shows how the transformation is destroying the historical city. This novel shows that culture and birthplace play a significant role in how an individual grows up. Pamuk uses a poetic style of writing as he intertwines the story of Istanbul with his own life. The organization of the overall novel has a sort of symmetry that brings the two parts of the story together. His vocabulary usage lets the reader imagine exactly what he is trying to portray. Through his creativity, the author relates the misfortunes of his own life to those of Istanbul. Using his family and personal life, he shows how the people of Istanbul and the city itself are connected. So, not only is this a memoir, but also an informational book on the remarkable city of Istanbul. Pamuk does not write about the most glorious parts of the city, but rather the neglected parts with history and meaning. In a way, it seems as if he is writing about all the lost secrets of Istanbul. It is incredible how walking around and exploring Istanbul can have such an impact on an individual. The story as a whole is a moving childhood memoir that gives an essence of culture as well. This novel is appropriate for everyone ages 13 and up. It is an enjoyable read for anyone who is interested in the culture of a unique place. It best fits someone who enjoys learning about the historical features of an old city. //-Pari B.//
 * Istanbul**
 * By Orhan Pamuk**

**Eat Love Pray** 2007. 334p. Penguin Books, $15.00 (9780143038412) Italy to India to Indonesia all in one year is not something most people can accomplish, especially ones with a career ahead of them and loving people at home. Elizabeth Gilbert, on the other hand, had nothing going for her. She had just battled a brutal divorce with her husband, and was on and off with a man named David. Her heart being broken numerous times, Elizabeth needed to do something with her life. She needed something to keep her from spending the rest of her life in misery. So what better way then to find pleasure, devotion, and enjoyment in three different countries? To regain her physical strength she travels to Italy, where all the pasta and pizza she needs is waiting for her. India is a place to calm herself and gain strength emotionally through yoga and meditation teachings. And why not end her year with a trip to Indonesia, a place where she feels free to do whatever she feels like each day. Across the countries, she is able to find people who help her with taking control of her life and forgetting about the past. While Elizabeth is gone, her friends and family at home support what she is doing, wanting her to get back on track with her life. Elizabeth is able to learn a language she loves, practice a hobby that interests her, and relax with old friends. She realizes what is important in life and moves on from all of her painful memories//.// After returning from Indonesia, what does she do next? Does she stay in touch with the people that kept her company everywhere she went? And do her ex-husband and boyfriend care about her when she comes home? //Eat Love Pray// is a book that I would recommend for mainly women. I think it is a way for teaching people, mainly women, how to overcome battles with having their heart broken. It is interesting to move from one culture to the next, learning how Americans fit in across the sea. It not only shows how Elizabeth grew into a different woman, but also allows the readers to learn things about different cultures. What captivates readers in this book is how she overcomes her battles, and the stories she has to tell about each place she visits. This book is appropriate for ages 15 and up. While many people believe they know themselves when they are coming to the age of thirty, Elizabeth is just figuring out who she really is. //Eat Love Pray//      is split up into three major sections; each section about the different place she travels to. In each country, she never has a set plan on what she’s going to do, always going when the wind takes her. This book has been nominated and praised by many important critics, such as //New York Times//, //Time Magazine//, //Los Angeles Times//, and //Seattle Post-Intelligencer//. All of these tough critics gave it great reviews, proving even more how this book is captivating and intriguing. -Sarah P  2003. 121p. ibooks inc. $24.95 US. (1098765432)   In Joe Kubert's “What if?” graphic novel, the author writes the story of Yossel, a young Jew in   Poland  , who is a parallel to Kubert's life. In 1926, Kubert's parents decided they wanted to emigrate to  America. In the spring, they were denied because Kubert’s mother was pregnant with him. But the Kuberts came back in November when Joe was just two months old, and journeyed to  America. During his childhood he often heard his parents speaking with others who came from their country about the horrible things that were happening to the Jews in their village. Though he initially does not care, later in his life Kubert begins to realize just how horrific the holocaust was. He begins to wonder what would have happened if he had not came to  America. The Jews in his home town of  Yzeran   were sent to the   Warsaw   ghetto, so that is how this story takes place. Joe Kubert's actual life is a mirror to the story, because Yossel is him in a time when his parents gave up coming to America after the first try, and the reader finds how simply giving up after the first attempt to come to America would so drastically change the lives of him and his family. This book is also based off of a major historical event, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In this alternate life, with the name Yossel, he is quickly recognized for his ability to draw by his family and strangers. During this time, Yossel and his family are sent to the infamous Warsaw Ghetto. This “Ghetto” is actually a prison, and the people will be shot if they try to escape. As Yossel deals with this, he is in such horrible conditions people begin to wish they were in concentration camps instead. But, later, he meets his former rabbi near death in the streets, who made the transition from a faithful religious man to a bitter, emotionless person without humanity, and who escaped from an extermination camp. He explains to Yossel that they do not want the Jews to work, they want to exterminate them, and the camp gasses all the incoming prisoners, who are then stripped of their possessions, and thrown into a furnace. The book is overall an interesting and enjoyable book. There are two flaws: Joe Kubert seems to focus on how well he can draw, as the character Yossel is constantly complimented for this, even Nazi soldiers give him special treatment; and the book is short compared to what the author could have came up with. Even so, Kubert's graphic novel is representative of the dark reality of the holocaust, from the dark and eerie drawings, to the plain black and white sketches. I would recommend this book to anyone from age fourteen up, as it is a surprisingly interesting book for anyone. // -Conor S.  //
 * By Elizabeth Gilbert**
 * Yossel **** April 19th, 1943 **** . **
 * By Joe Kubert. **

1980. 162p. Pantheon Books, $14.99 (0394747232) In his memoir, Art Spiegelman tells the story of his father’s struggle to survive in the Holocaust and his family’s increasingly complex relationship. Though the story is primarily set in Poland in the 1940s, a secondary plot takes place in modern day New York. The novel opens with Spiegelman seeking inspiration for an upcoming series of comics that he plans to publish in his magazine, //Raw//. Unable to find any other influence, he goes to his father, Vladek, in order to learn more about his life as a Holocaust survivor, and is taken on a journey into his difficult past. As his story unfolds, the father’s relationship with his son begins to strain and Art uncovers a number of his family’s secrets. The memoir is written in the form of a graphic novel, and uses various animals to represent the major groups involved in the Holocaust; for example, mice represent the Jews and cats represent the Germans. Though the artwork is fairly rudimentary and may seem off-putting to some readers, it does not distract too much from the plot. People who have not had much experience with graphic novels may find it difficult to follow, particularly due to the fact that most of the characters are purposely drawn to look very similar to each other and can only be distinguished by clothes and other smaller details. However, as the story progresses, it becomes easier to recognize each character. The story seems to drag on a bit at times, particularly in the middle, the writing comes across as sloppy on occasion, and the few plot holes that appear throughout that can make it more difficult to understand, but most of it is well written and interesting to read. In spite of its innocent appearance and rather simplistic artwork, the graphic novel is not intended for children. It contains complex psychological insight and a closed-minded view of society that many younger readers may have difficulty understanding. In order to be thoroughly enjoyed, it is best to be read by more mature high school students and adults. Though it has certain flaws, overall, //Maus// is a thought-provoking novel that can be enjoyed by most readers. - //Jenna M.// The Dowry By Walter Keady 2006. 224p. (98703123619) This is a book about death, marriages, money, Catholics and Ireland. Brideen Conway and Kieran McDermott live in rural Ireland in 1946 and want to get married. They can’t, though, because they need a dowry to get married and Kieran’s father won’t give him the farm so they can get the dowry money. The pub owner, Austin Glynn, is a very rich man but no one wants to marry his daughter, Aideen, because she isn’t very nice or pretty. Kieran’s older brother Martin offers to marry her, but everyone knows he’s just in it for the money. He must try very hard to earn Aideen’s trust and they learn some surprising things about themselves and each other along the way. After he proposes to her, he disappears and is believed to be dead. He fell off of his bike and fell into the river during a violent thunderstorm. The father of the parish is set on getting Brideen and Kieran married, but all of Brideen and Kieran’s friends are getting married, too. They all want to be married around the same time. But If Brideen and Kieran can’t get married none of them will. Kieran finds himself having to move to England in order for them to be married. Brideen and Kieran find themselves committing sins together and they are trying to wait before they get married. But it is extremely hard for two people in love to get married. As another surprising turn of events the father seems to be developing a crush on Brideen who is a very pretty young woman. Although she is completely oblivious to the fact, it becomes harder and harder for the father to control the thoughts that he has a bout her. He finds himself asking for forgiveness more often than a priest should. But when Kieran finds out that his brother Martin isn’t really dead the world as they know it gets thrown into mass chaos. His brother steals from their father which causes the blame to fall on Kieran. It seems like Kieran and Brideen won’t ever get married. The history and the use of Irish words causes this book to make you feel as if you really are in the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and mystery intertwined into one. A’Kyra C.
 * //Maus: A Survivor's Tale//**
 * By Art Spiegelman**