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Open Heart: A Memoir Audiobook
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(3.07) - 348 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Translated by Marion Wiesel
A profoundly and unexpectedly intimate, deeply affecting summing up of his life so far, from one of the most cherished moral voices of our time.
Eighty-two years old, facing emergency heart surgery and his own mortality, Elie Wiesel reflects back on his life. Emotions, images, faces and questions flash through his mind. His family before and during the unspeakable Event. The gifts of marriage and children and grandchildren that followed. In his writing, in his teaching, in his public life, has he done enough for memory and the survivors? His ongoing questioning of God—where has it led? Is there hope for mankind? The world’s tireless ambassador of tolerance and justice has given us this luminous account of hope and despair, an exploration of the love, regrets and abiding faith of a remarkable man.
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"Amazingly concise & philosophical about life and death, Weisel is a master writer and human being. Having experienced a life-threatening surgery myself, the words of Elie Wiesel captured what I remember feeling and wondering. I found his description of walking to death's door beautiful and vulnerable. His experiences and powerful command of putting emotion, feeling, and belief to language far surpass anything we could ever capture on paper, and for that, I am thankful that Weisel remains to put powerful words into space."
— R (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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A successful husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and writer, [Mr. Wiesel] is an asset to humankind. He has turned despondency into a message of approval and optimism…Mr. Wiesel packages equal parts beauty and astonishing description in an impossibly concise manner. Few authors have possessed such capacity for succinctness and brevity with magnificent dexterity.
— NY Journal of Books -
An absorbing, clear-eyed reflection on [Wiesel’s] own mortality and a candid account of a life lived…Open Heart is Wiesel at his most vulnerable and his most determined, and his thoughts and ideas have never been so lucidly conveyed.
— The Rumpus -
The reader…becomes a quiet observer of Wiesel’s thoughts, which are plagued by the question: ‘Am I ready to die?’ His answer, clearly, is no…What seems like a quick and easy read actually delves deeply into the philosophical and makes you wonder: Will I be ready when it’s my time?
— The Free Lance-Star
Open Heart Listener Reviews
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" A book that is short but filled with the thoughts and fears of a man who faces the realities of open heart surgery. He has experienced so much in his life that it is fascinating how at his age he still not only fights to live; but wonders if he has done enough to help not only his family, but the rest of us as well. This is an amazing book and should be read with the knowledge that it is composed of thoughts, memories, and questions as one realizes one's mortality. "
— Yvonne, 2/12/2014 -
" Short fast read. Not earth shattering in content but the author is always worth the read. "
— Jan, 2/5/2014 -
" A reflection on later life. Sometimes very sad, but uplifting as well. WIesel descriptions of the relationship he has with his son and grandchildren are beautiful. A short, worthwhile read. I loved it. 5 stars. "
— Kokeshi, 2/4/2014 -
" I listened to this, and it is one I think would probably be best hearing rather than reading, the narrator does such a great job. I had to keep reminding myself that it was not Elie Wiesel narrating! "
— Kathi, 1/27/2014 -
" Short memoir about the author's heart surgery and end of life thoughts. "
— Dawn, 1/22/2014 -
" Very quick read. This man really is an inspiration. "
— Amy, 1/17/2014 -
" Another thought-provoking book by a master. The simplicity of Wiesel's writing belies its depth. A single sentence is capable of striking to the depths of the soul. "
— Nancy, 1/15/2014 -
" I think this would be an important book for anyone facing physical limitations or open heart surgery. He faces reality that life is precious but focuses on hopefulness. "
— J., 12/16/2013 -
" Will always read any nonfiction Elie Wiesel wants to write. Fascinating man. "
— Katie, 12/13/2013 -
" I read it in less than an hour and it kept me intrigued just the eloquence of his writing style....didnt get a big message from it just a nice read. "
— Rebecca, 12/11/2013 -
" I wanted to read this book because I previously read Night. This was a good book, even though it's sad to think how this generation is now facing old age and health problems. We are very lucky to have this man write down his thoughts on his life for the next generations. "
— Anne, 12/8/2013 -
" VERY short book, to me it seemed more like a quick letter to a friend about an 82-year old man's reflection on his life and his faith before and after heart surgery. Elie Wiesel is a great writer, but this was not what I was expecting, hence my low rating. "
— Sandra, 11/28/2013 -
" A view into what it was like for him to go through open hear surgery, Outstanding and highly recommend any of his books!! "
— Lydia, 11/16/2013 -
" touching as are all his books "
— Yamo, 11/12/2013 -
" IF LIFE IS NOT A CELEBRATION, WHY REMEMBER IT? "
— Andrea, 11/10/2013 -
" A slim book that can be read in one sitting. It is interesting to hear his feelings on mortality with his history. A surprise open-heart surgery prompts this writing. "
— Nichole, 10/5/2013 -
" Poignant. Honest. Intimate. He is so forthright that his words touch your heart and mind and as trite as I sound his works change you. "
— Claire, 9/23/2013 -
" Elie Wiesel is one of my personal heroes. I didn't find this book to be as compelling as much of what he writes, but it is a nice exploration of one particular personal journey. "
— doug, 8/31/2013 -
" A very quick read - can be read in one sitting. I read in two sittings - on the bus rides to and from work. Save the last few chapters I would have given this essay a 3. "
— Maureen, 7/13/2013 -
" My Mom loved this book. I enjoyed it, especially when treated as a companion book to Night. I almost feel like this was one I'll need to read again to get the most out of it. Beautiful, but not nearly as intense as Night and I think that threw me when I first read it. "
— Elizabethtabor, 6/27/2013 -
" This is a beautiful reminder of the love and gratitude we all feel for the important people in our lives. "
— Alyssa, 6/8/2013 -
" This book kind of dragged. However, I did get to learn about all of the books that he has written, I didn't realize how many I hadn't read. "
— MJ, 3/18/2013 -
" Beautiful. Loved it! "
— Michele, 2/8/2013 -
" I was torn between 'I liked it' and 'it was okay'. I think this is another case where one would be better off starting with one of the author's other works. "
— Susan, 2/7/2013
About Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) was the author of more than fifty books, both fiction and nonfiction, including his masterly memoir Night. He was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the rank of Grand-Croix in the French Legion of Honor, an honorary knighthood of the British Empire, and, in 1986, the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1976, he served as the the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University.
About Mark Bramhall
Mark Bramhall has won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, more than thirty AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has repeatedly been named by AudioFile magazine and Publishers Weekly among their “Best Voices of the Year.” He is also an award-winning actor whose acting credits include off-Broadway, regional, and many Los Angeles venues as well as television, animation, and feature films. He has taught and directed at the American Academy of Dramatic Art.