The Trial of God: (as it was held on February 25, 1649, in Shamgorod)

Good book

This is a masterpiece, a great book that makes you think about man and God, about history, about prejudice and injustice, about how people react when pushed to the edge.

This play leaves the reader with more questions than it does answers, which, of course, is part of the point. Thought provoking and well-written, it will appeal to those who are angry, bitter, scornful, justice-seeking, confused, questioning, thankful and joyful. I have to say while I didn’t expect (or want) everything to be neatly tied in a bow at the end, I did not like the author’s choice of reveal, and was hoping it would be the stranger’s opposite who would choose to reveal himself at the end. I think it says a lot about the author’s view on the topic at hand (and perhaps my own) and thus takes away from the unanswered question, guilty or not guilty?

This is a disturbing book that tells a disturbing story. Since other reviewers have done a great job providing a synopsis of the book I will go right to the matter of what I think of it. In many ways I was dissapointed. I would have much rather that Wiesel wrote about the trial that he witnessed in Auschwitz rather than placing it in a Ukrainian villege. However, I think he tried and for some reason could not do it. My personal opinion is that the original trial was too painful. So, the play seems to have been inspired by actual events but goes off in another direction entirely. Or does it? I have trouble deciding.There are many layers to this play - just like the four levels introduced by Bachya ben Asher for the interpretation of scripture: peshat, or "plain meaning"; derash, or "rabbinic aggadah"; derekh hassekhel, or "philosophical"; and sod, or "kabbalistic." The discerning, or knowledgable, reader will find all those levels present in this work. Wiesel is never an easy writer to read or to understand, and this play is no different.

I guess if you really like to read, maybe this would be ok. The title sounded interesting to me, and I'd read "Night" so I decided to go ahead and get this book also. I think it's a play of something that I didn't understand. Lucky for me my niece owns a local book store so I can give it to her for free and maybe she can get it to someone who will enjoy it:)

Written as if the author was actually there at the trial of God. But in this version the defense counsel is - Sam. Interesting that in Slavic languages sam means self. And who is Sam? But the book is all the set up for the play and the play within a play that should be a play within a play is not. Instead it is noch ein ander chance to question the problem of evil and try to resolve how an all powerful God who loves us could so always destroy what he loves. But this time we will fight.

I can not fathom the depths for which one who has experienced the Holocaust must question his faith. But this book, as in the setting of the Sun, anticipates a new day. Elie Wiesel has experienced much and done great justice to humankind for his many stories that highlight in great depth the human condition. Yet, in this book, a trial of G-d is used to bring justice for events passed. Elie does this so well. And if we look ahead then we must consider that Berish may yet be killed. It is in future events that we may hold hope. "Sam" can be set in the Ukraine. Just as well "Samuel" may yet have voice, "...hope without memory is like memory without hope."

This book is powerful reading. It helps when you are Jewish.

Excellent service would use again

This is one of the most interesting books on the subject that I've every read. The author has such a wonderful way of communicating a most difficult subject. He does it with humour, pathos, and a sensitivity that I found compelling. I had read it several times and will probably read it several more times in the years to come.

I am a huge fan of Elie Wiesel so was very happy with this book, since I read "Night" and saw his interview with Oprah Winfrey, I was hooked. The writing is graceful and strong and poignant. Elie Wiesel came out of a hellish place and was restored, enlightened, changed, and forgiving. His writing is soft and passionate and easy to read. The Trial of God is awesome, more trials please for the injustices caused by mankind (man unkind)The price was reasonable and the book was delivered very quickly. I am currently reading 'Dawn' and 'Day' by the same author.

I really like Wiesel's writings. I found this boring.

great book