If This Is Man by Primo Levi

Finishing this book took somewhat longer than I expected; however, the history lesson deserved the time invested. Levi’s autobiographical account of the holocaust uncovers nightmares excluded from any school curriculum. 

By profession Levi was a chemist and his scientific foundations deliver literary clarity and a story told without ambition or pretence. Clear prose intertwined with graphic, philosophical accounts of The Larger produce teeth-sucking impact throughout chapters, but also tones of desperation. Desperation because Levi, on more than one occasion, reveals his fear of not being listened to and an urgency toward disclosing the – soul-destroying – ordeals imposed by the SS.

Expecting a continuation of reflective, empirical notes,  I eagerly went on to read The Truce: an account of Levi’s return journey to Turin, Italy. However, the book failed to posses to the same flow and weight as If This Is Man. Thick in places, an image of a fatigued, yet dutiful author emanated from the sequel. My advice: stop at If This Is Man if you do not want coarse, frozen impressions thawed by The Truce.

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