In my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one. Just as the past Lingers in the present, all my writings after night, including those that deal with biblical, Talmudic, or Hasidic themes, profoundly bear it's stamp, and cannot be understood if one has not read this very first of my works. Why did I write it? Did I write it so as not to go mad or, on the contrary, to go mad in order to understand the nature of the madness, the immense, terrifying madness that had erupted in history and in the conscience of mankind?
Elie Wiesel profoundly reflects on his book "Night," emphasizing its significance as the cornerstone of his literary career. He considers it a work that encapsulates his insights and experiences, declaring that all his subsequent writings are deeply influenced by it. Understanding "Night" is essential to grasp the themes present in his later works, particularly regarding biblical, Talmudic, or Hasidic topics.
Wiesel questions the motivation behind his writing, pondering whether it was an act of preserving his sanity or a descent into madness for the purpose of comprehending the chaos and horror of human history. His exploration of these themes in "Night" reveals an urgent struggle to make sense of the overwhelming madness that humanity has faced.
