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Cover of If This Is a Man
Biography & Memoir· Italy

If This Is a Man

by Primo Levi
Aggregate Editorial Score69/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1947206 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Primo Levi's If This Is a Man (1947) stands as one of the most significant works of biography & memoir of its era. Levi's spare, analytical account of his year in Auschwitz-Monowitz avoids sentimentality to render the Nazi death camp with devastating clarity. Written within months of liberation, it is one of the foundational texts of Holocaust literature—a testament to both the horror and the humanity that persisted within it. Themes of Holocaust, survival, humanity run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1947.

Book Details

AuthorPrimo Levi
Published1947
Country of Origin🇮🇹 Italy
LanguageEnglish
Pages206
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN9780316498043
Editorial Score69/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇹 Italy

This book is part of Italy's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Italy →

Editorial Assessment

The publication of If This Is a Man in 1947 marked Primo Levi as a major voice in Italian literature. This memoir chronicles legacy and influence with a precision and emotional power that have kept it relevant across decades. A landmark of its genre.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
194760
✍️
About the Author
Primo Levi
Italy
View Author →

Primo Levi is a celebrated author from Italy known for influential works of biography memoir.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is If This Is a Man about?

Levi's spare, analytical account of his year in Auschwitz-Monowitz avoids sentimentality to render the Nazi death camp with devastating clarity. Written within months of liberation, it is one of the foundational texts of Holocaust literature—a testament to both the horror and the humanity that persisted within it.

Who wrote If This Is a Man?

If This Is a Man was written by Primo Levi, from Italy. First published in 1947.

What awards has If This Is a Man won?

If This Is a Man has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1947.

Is If This Is a Man worth reading?

If This Is a Man is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 60/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in Holocaust, survival, humanity.

Where can I buy If This Is a Man?

You can buy If This Is a Man on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is If This Is a Man?

If This Is a Man is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is If This Is a Man from?

If This Is a Man originates from Italy's literary tradition. Explore more books from Italy on our country page.

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