Aharon Appelfeld

Aharon Appelfeld was an acclaimed Israeli author, known for his works that delve into the experiences of the Holocaust, memory, and identity. Born in Romania in 1932, he survived World War II and the loss of his parents in the Holocaust, eventually immigrating to Israel in 1946. His writing often reflects his personal experiences as a Jewish child during the war, and his language of choice for his literary works was Hebrew. Appelfeld's novels, which include 'Badenheim 1939', 'The Age of Wonders', and 'Blooms of Darkness', have been recognized for their profound emotional depth and have earned him numerous literary awards. He passed away on January 4, 2018.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Badenheim 1939

    Cover of 'Badenheim 1939' by Aharon Appelfeld

    The book is a haunting allegory of the Holocaust, set in a fictional Austrian resort town on the eve of World War II. As the summer progresses, the vacationers, mostly Jewish intellectuals and artists, remain oblivious to the ominous changes occurring around them, even as their freedoms are incrementally stripped away and they are eventually herded towards an unknown, but clearly grim, fate. The narrative captures the denial and complacency of the characters in the face of impending doom, serving as a chilling reminder of the dangers of ignoring the signs of societal collapse and the atrocities it can lead to.

    The 7921st Greatest Book of All Time

  2. 2. The Immortal Bartfuss

    Cover of 'The Immortal Bartfuss' by Aharon Appelfeld

    The book is a poignant exploration of the life of a Holocaust survivor grappling with the weight of his past and the struggle to find meaning in the aftermath of unimaginable trauma. The protagonist, a man who has outlived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp, finds himself in a small Israeli town, where he is haunted by memories and the loss of his family. His survival comes with the burden of guilt and the challenge of reconnecting with a world that has been irrevocably changed. Through his journey, the narrative delves into themes of memory, identity, and the complex process of healing from psychological scars, offering a stark examination of the enduring impact of the Holocaust on individual lives.

    The 8520th Greatest Book of All Time