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If This Is a Man/The Truce (Revised)
If This Is a Man/The Truce (Revised) | Primo Levi
With the moral stamina and intellectual pose of a twentieth-century Titan, this slightly built, duitful, unassuming chemist set out systematically to remember the German hell on earth, steadfastly to think it through, and then to render it comprehensible in lucid, unpretentious prose. He was profoundly in touch with the minutest workings of the most endearing human events and with the most contempible. What has survived in Levi's writing isn't just his memory of the unbearable, but also, in THE PERIODIC TABLE and THE WRENCH, his delight in what made the world exquisite to him. He was himself a -magically endearing man, the most delicately forceful enchanter I've ever known- - PHILIP ROTH
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The45Girl
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I cannot wait to read this.

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The45Girl
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I cannot wait to read this.

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Lucy_Anywhere
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Pickpick

It's taken me a while to read this because my heart could only take so much. IF THIS IS A MAN is Primo Levi's account of his time in Auschwitz written in a quiet and matter-of-fact way which makes it much more powerful as he describes how the Lager slowly eradicated his humanity. THE TRUCE describes Primo's Odyssean journey back to Italy which manages to be gently humorous and heartbreaking in a different way as Primo slowly rediscovers himself.

Caroline2 One of my all time favourite books ever. 💖 5y
Lucy_Anywhere @Caroline2 it's earned a place on my bookshelf 5y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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I was travelling all day yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to check in for #BFCr3 I'm pretty chuffed with myself this week - I've been out for 3 runs, and finished one book and I'm only a chapter away from finishing another. Snacks have been my downfall, but I'm on holiday 😎

@wanderinglynn @Airykah13 @BlameJennyJane @BeckyB @Minispok @ness @Peddler410 @Econaghan @bookandcat

bookandcat Keep up the great work! 5y
Meaw_catlady Great work!!! Treat yourself it‘s holiday! Keep it up! 💕 5y
Econaghan Great job this week! 👍🏻 You‘ve got this! Enjoy your holiday! 5y
See All 7 Comments
Minispok Great job! 5y
BeckyandBooks Not snacking is soooo hard for me! 5y
ness Crushing it!! 5y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 Great progress! 5y
15 likes7 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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I'm taking advantage of a rainy afternoon to try to finish the book club book I really should have finished a week ago! IF THIS IS A MAN broke my heart as it quietly describes how Auschwitz reduced Primo Levi to nothing. THE TRUCE is breaking my heart in a different way as Primo slowly regains his sense of personhood on his journey home to Italy.

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Lucy_Anywhere
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It's been a crazy few days. I am very late 🙈 but here are my goals for #BFCr3 🙌 I'm excited to be carrying on the challenge, and cheering everybody on to meet their goals!

@wanderinglynn @Meaw_catlady @Airykah13 @BlameJennyJane @Minispok @ness @Peddler410 @Econaghan @bookandcat @BeckyB

wanderinglynn Great goals! 🙌🏻 5y
Meaw_catlady Great goals! You‘ve got this! If things get too busy be flexible! Glad to have you on the team! 5y
Minispok Great gosls! 5y
jenniferw88 Hi Lucy, please can you email me your address at irene_gulliver@yahoo.co.uk so that I can send you your prize from #bfcr2? (There's an underscore in between irene and gulliver). Jenny 5y
BlameJennyJane Fabulous, Lucy! Happy BFCr3! 5y
12 likes5 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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A lazy cat and a good book makes for a perfect evening! I'm trying to read more out of my comfort zone, so I joined a reading group. June's book is Primo Levi's account of the months he spent in Auschwitz and his journey back to Italy.

#holocaust #memoir

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Sic_Corneille
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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Pickpick

I finished reading this book a month ago, and I still can't get over it (will I ever be able to?).
I'd heard about it, but reading it still shook me up.
If you have never read it, find yourself a copy.

"Meditate that this came about :
I commend these words to you." - Primo Levi

tammysue On my tbr 💔 6y
rachaich Such an amazing book. Stark but fitting. 6y
43 likes1 stack add2 comments
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laurenduke300
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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“Sooner or later in life everyone discovers that perfect happiness is unrealizable, but there are few who pause to consider the antithesis: that perfect unhappiness is equally unattainable.”

wordzie 6y
15 likes1 comment
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TrishB
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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Pickpick

Read the first part this morning as I felt so sad at the report that 5% of Brits do not believe in the Holocaust.
Will read the rest over the next couple of weeks. There‘s only so much sad Sunday can accommodate.
Never forget. Silence is compliance.

hermyknee 💔♥️ #WeRemember 6y
Velvetfur Wait, what? Do not believe in it? How....why.....eh? *confused* 6y
Crazeedi It's so sad to know that statistic is true, many in the states don't either😞 #neverforget 6y
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Suet624 That‘s a disturbing number. 😡😡 6y
cathysaid Isn‘t it so disturbing? Holocaust Deniers baffle me. I remember when Ahmadinejad stated that it “didn‘t happen.” Bizarre. 6y
Christine11 I read that statistic this morning too - I cannot understand it at all. There is so much proof and so many heartbreaking personal testimonies, I really don‘t get how people can deny it? 😔 6y
TrishB @hermyknee @Velvetfur @Crazeedi @Suet624 @cathysaid @Christine11 I don‘t get it either. Baffling and heart breaking 💔 6y
Erinreadsthebooks Right, and if the deniers can put blinders on to the Holocaust, just imagine what else they can ignore. 👎🏼 6y
TrishB @Erinreadsthebooks exactly 😔 6y
Insightsintobooks Wow. That's hard to imagine that statistic is real. Just it being today, Holocaust rememberance Day, makes me cry, I mourn for those lost, and will never forget. 6y
Caroline2 I have zero tolerance for holocaust deniers! People don‘t deny slavery yet there is so much evidence & eye witnesses still alive today from the holocaust?! How can some people not ‘believe‘?! It‘s a fact not a belief!!!! (edited) 6y
TrishB @Insightsintobooks 💔 it‘s a horrible thought. 6y
TrishB @Caroline2 great point 👍🏻 it‘s a choice they make.... 6y
123 likes1 stack add13 comments
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EadieB
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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I have read this tagged book and noticed this on your TBR. After reading an Atwood book, I‘m not too interested in reading these. I have some others on your TBR but just have to dig them out!

TrishB Thank you! It‘s very expensive to ship to U.K. from US- so I‘ll leave to you how many! I would love The Blind Assassin and the tagged one if poss. 6y
TrishB Done ✅ thank you 6y
LapReader You are a lucky lady @TrishB 6y
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TrishB @LapReader I know 😁 Litsy kindness is awesome. 6y
Andrew65 What turned you off Margaret Atwood Eadie, I am yet to read one. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Read The Handmaid‘s Tale and it was dystopian and futuristic and I just didn‘t like her writing. I also read Surfacing which I liked better but very complex! Too many other authors that I would rather read. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Thanks, not been tempted to try her yet, and given our similarities in tastes not going to rush to rectify that. Too many others out there I want to read. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I only read them because they were on 1001 list. 6y
61 likes8 comments
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1001BooksPodcast
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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Pickpick

Due to our computer issues, we had to back track and re-record episode 16-Luckily it‘s a good one. This one was right in our wheel house as lovers of WWII books. Pop over and give it a listen. #1001books #bookpodcast #applepodcasts #googleplay #soundcloud.

GoneFishing When you finish the 1001 books series, you‘ll need to do the 1001 drinks series. 6y
1001BooksPodcast @jdtchicago that would make a great addition to our podcast actually. A new drink every week haha definitely worth a minisode at the very least! 6y
GoneFishing 1001 drinks for 1001 books? 6y
1001BooksPodcast @jdtchicago Has a nice ring to it! 6y
26 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Kristelh
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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1001BooksPodcast Read this recently and loved it 7y
13 likes1 comment
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Kristelh
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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#1001books assault on humanity #diversity1001 @JenP

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Wilkie
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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Primo Levi used his skill as a chemist to survive Auschwitz, securing a position as an assistant in a factory that produced synthetic rubber. In this way he avoided hard manual labour in freezing temperatures. When the Red Army liberated the camp; Primo was one of only 20 survivors of the 650 Italian Jews originally transported. #chemicalheart #marchintooz.

Cinfhen I‘ve always meant to read this author...it‘s definitely a book I hope to get to...I think this is one of the #1001books 7y
Wilkie @Cinfhen, it‘s a harrowing read, but very, very good 7y
36 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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GoneFishing

Then for the first time we became aware that our language lacks words to express this offence, the demolition of a man...It is not possible to sink lower than this; no human condition is more miserable than this, nor could it conceivably be so. Nothing belongs to us...they have taken away our clothes, our shoes, even our hair; if we speak, they will not listen to us, and if they listen, they will not understand. They will even take away our name..

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GoneFishing

A country is considered the more civilised the more the wisdom and efficiency of its laws hinder a weak man from becoming too weak and a powerful one too powerful.

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GoneFishing

Auschwitz is outside of us, but it is all around us...The plague has died away, but the infection still lingers...Rejection of human solidarity, obtuse and cynical indifference to the suffering of others, abdication of the intellect and of moral sense to the principle of authority, and above all, at the root of everything, a sweeping tide of cowardice, a colossal cowardice which masks itself as warring virtue, love of country and faith in an idea.

23 likes1 stack add
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GoneFishing

Today the only thing left of the life of those days is what one needs to suffer hunger and cold; I am not even alive enough to know how to kill myself.

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Caroline2
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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More book fairying...Primo's book left on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site for someone to find! 📚

emilyhaldi Fun! 7y
50 likes1 comment
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Caroline2
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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1) Essex in the U.K. 🇬🇧
2) If this is a man, Night, I know why the caged bird sings, You and many more
3) Twilight 😳😆& LOTR
4) The Godfather, Gone with the wind,
5) Gilmore Girls, Girls, Sopranos
6) The Beatles, Bjork, Elbow
7) Purple
8) thriller/historical fiction
9) studying for a history degree/stay at home mum
10) not yet...!

Libby1 Hi, Caroline in Essex. I'm Libby in Northern Ireland 🙂. Are you focusing on a certain period of history for your degree? 8y
Caroline2 Yes, I specialised in Modern history! I handed in my last essay this wk...! 🎉 just gotta wait and see if I've passed now! 😳🙏🏻🤞🏻 8y
JenniferJarrell I am not ashamed to admit that I also loved Twilight (although I probably should be lol). 8y
Caroline2 @JenniferJarrell yeah I always feel the need to whisper/cough Twilight! Which is a shame cause I think if people put aside their preconceptions they are cracking books! 👍🏻 8y
Heidi2 Absolutely nothing wrong with the Twilight love! 👍🏼😃 8y
57 likes5 comments
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Caroline2
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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Pickpick

For holocaust Memorial Day - one of the few books I have read more than once! Primo Levi was a beautiful man and one of the greatest writers I have ever read! I cannot recommend this book enough!! ❤️ 📚

quirkyreader I love the Folio edition cover. 8y
Cinfhen Somehow I've never read his book. It's a definite must read for me. And I agree with @quirkyreader that is a haunting cover. 8y
Caroline2 Not just because of the subject matter but it really is amazing writing! His views on people and life are profound! It's not as depressing as you think it's going to be! And yeah, I couldn't resist this folio edition!! 8y
62 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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DeborahSmall
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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#fictionnonfictionpairings #seasonsreadings2016 As soon as I read the amazing Mischling I ordered Primo Levi's account of his time at Auschwitz. It was a book Konar herself referenced in her research for her novel. I've yet to read it in full but the parts I've read are fantastic. Written in a unique style I wasn't expecting 📚❤️

LeahBergen I'm sure I'll be ordering it, too, then once I start Mischling. I always do that! 8y
70 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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DeborahSmall
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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#bookmail I'm going to have to curtail my book spending next month...📚❤️

Jessicav Says everyone every month... 😁 8y
Kalalalatja The Fishermen is amazing! 8y
DeborahSmall @Jessicav yep I said it last month too..😉 8y
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DeborahSmall @Kalalalatja I'm reading The Fishermen next 😊 8y
erinreads I really loved The Nix! 8y
Cinfhen @DeborahSmall I haven't read Primo Levi, I'm curious to hear what you think. I'm not sure how I've missed his memoirs. I did read The Fishermen...excellent & I'm dying to read The Nix and Essex Serpent! Your post gave me a bout of #bookenvy 🙃 8y
DeborahSmall @Cinfhen I had to buy Primo Levi after reading Mischling, I've read through part of today and I enjoy the way it's been written, looking forward to them all! 💞 8y
Cinfhen Good to know, keep me posted on your reads👍🏻💜📚Have your read 8y
DeborahSmall Not yet but when I read about Primo Levi he was mentioned as another Auschwitz survivor. I'm sure it will be in my Amazon basket shortly! Memoirs of an Anti-Semite has been on my TBR for a while and looks interesting 8y
DeborahSmall @erinreads it looks excellent, I'm more excited about it now I have it within reach. Will definitely get to it before Xmas 💞 8y
60 likes10 comments
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Wilkie
If this is a Man | Primo Levi
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These books remind me that although I have had difficult times in my life I have no idea what real suffering is. They inspire me to be braver and to be kinder. #photoadayNov16 #inspiring

Cinfhen Well said, couldn't agree more 8y
28 likes1 comment