Day After Night

The tone of this novel is dark, perhaps by design to convey the past agonies of the four female protagonists; they are the survivors of the Holocaust. The story is based on an actual event, the post war detainment and rescue of several hundred prisoners from the Atlit detention camp for illegal immigrants. For me, this was the initial draw to the book. I read "The Red Tent" by this author and thought the tragic circumstances of these women, combined with Anita Diamant's powerful writing style and talent for exquisitely depicting the female bonding process, would make for intense, dramatic reading.

I loved the unique perspective the storyline provided on this small slice of history, but I have to admit the characters were flat at times; it was an effort to keep track of who was who. The writing style was also lackluster, with large portions of the book devoted to random conversations between the characters; most of the action was held in reserve until the end.

The book sheds light on the interesting, little-known period of post war Europe, but for me at least, failed to convey the emotional trauma the characters suffered through, and the deep frustration they must have felt at once again being held captive, waiting for their freedom. The book certainly has great historical value. I recommend it to those who crave knowledge on the aftermath of the Holocaust and do not mind a presentation that seeks to educate rather than entertain.

Named a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and The Salt Lake Tribune, Day After Night is based on the extraordinary true story of the October 1945 rescue of more than two hundred prisoners from the Atlit internment camp, a prison for "illegal" immigrants run by the British military near the Mediterranean coast of Haifa.

The story is told through the eyes of four young Holocaust survivors: Shayndel, a Polish Zionist; Leonie, a Parisian beauty; Tedi, a hidden Dutch Jew; and Zorah, a concentration camp survivor. Haunted by unspeakable memories, afraid to hope, the four find salvation in bonds of friendship and shared trauma as they attempt to re-create themselves in a strange new land. Diamant delivers an unforgettable story of tragedy, resilience, and redemption.

Shayndel "was overcome by the weight of what she had lost: mother, father, brother, friends, neighbors, comrades, lovers, landscapes." How might terrible memories actually keep a person going? What does the book reveal about human resilience?

What is the significance of the book's title? How can it be interpreted?

How do food and celebration play an important role in the novel?

How do Tirzah and Bryce's differences influence their relationship? How do unspoken feelings shape their story?

Zorah reflects on destruction and creation. How does this idea define the novel as a whole?

How do the strengths and weaknesses of each woman affect one another?

Secrets shape every woman in the camp. How do hidden truths affect their behavior and relationships?

Discuss the theme of identity. How do past lives influence who these women become in Atlit?

What does Tedi's heightened sense of smell symbolize?

How do the characters find common ground despite their different wartime experiences?

Leonie survived the war without the extreme deprivation others endured. Compare internal vs. external trauma.

How did you feel about Lotte's story? Were you surprised by its ending?

What did you think of the epilogue? Was it satisfying?

How does Day After Night compare to other World War II novels you have read?