36 pages • 1 hour read
The Drowned and the Saved
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Book Brief
208
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Holocaust • 1940s
1986
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
First published in Italy in 1986 as I sommersi e i salvati, The Drowned and the Saved is a collection of eight essays by Primo Levi detailing his experiences in the Auschwitz concentration camp, analyzing themes like hatred, cruelty, and memory in the context of the Holocaust. Levi critiques human inhumanity and examines collaborative survival strategies, employing first-person narratives and clear, factual language. The book contains detailed accounts of trauma, imprisonment, and systematic atrocities.
Informative
Dark
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
10,237 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Primo Levi's The Drowned and the Saved is lauded for its profound contemplation of Holocaust survivors' experiences and the human condition. Critics appreciate Levi's intellectual rigor but note its dense, sometimes repetitive analysis. The book's emotional gravity and Levi's clear prose are widely praised, though its heavy subject matter may not suit all readers.
Who Should Read The Drowned and the Saved?
A reader who would enjoy The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi is typically interested in Holocaust literature, moral philosophy, and human psychology. Comparable to Elie Wiesel’s Night or Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, this reader seeks profound insights into the human condition and the ethical dilemmas of survival under extreme oppression.
10,237 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jean Améry
Jean Améry
An Austrian-born philosopher and essayist, discussed by Levi for his intellectual and existential reflections on identity and suffering related to his experiences during the Holocaust.
Paul Bailey
Paul Bailey
A British writer and critic who contributes the preface to Levi's work, often exploring themes of human frailty and suffering in his own writings.
208
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Holocaust • 1940s
1986
Adult
18+ years
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