Primo Levi: A Life
Primo Levi: A Life
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Brief
236
Biography • Nonfiction
Italy • 20th century
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Primo Levi: A Life, Ian Thomson details the life of acclaimed Italian Jewish writer and chemist Primo Levi, blending biography with literary analysis. Drawing from personal archives and interviews, Thomson explores Levi's journey from his youth in Turin, Italy, through World War II, where he survived Auschwitz, to his career as a celebrated author, culminating in his tragic death in 1987. Topics of war, genocide, and trauma are present in the text.
Informative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Contemplative
Dark
Reviews & Readership
216 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ian Thomson's Primo Levi: A Life is widely praised for its meticulous research and insightful portrayal of Levi's complex character. Critics appreciate Thomson’s balanced narrative and detailed analysis of Levi’s experiences and literary contributions. However, some note the density of information can overwhelm casual readers. Overall, it is a compelling and thorough biography.
Who Should Read Primo Levi: A Life?
A reader who would enjoy Ian Thomson's Primo Levi: A Life is interested in Holocaust literature, biographical narratives, and the intricate interplay between history and personal storytelling. Similar readers might appreciate Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl and Elie Wiesel's Night.
216 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
236
Biography • Nonfiction
Italy • 20th century
2019
Adult
18+ years
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