Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Breaking Night summary
Brief summary
Breaking Night is Liz Murray's inspiring memoir of growing up in poverty in New York City, overcoming homelessness and drug-addicted parents, and going on to graduate from Harvard University. It's a story of resilience, determination, and the power of education to change lives.
Table of Contents
Breaking Night
Summary of key ideas
Rising from Homelessness to Harvard
In Breaking Night, Liz Murray takes us on a journey through her tumultuous early life to her remarkable triumph over adversity. The story begins in the Bronx, New York, where Murray was born to drug-addicted parents. Her life was filled with chaos, confusion, and neglect. She describes the constant hunger, the insecure and unsuitable dwelling situation, and the feeling of not belonging. At this point in her life, school only represented a hot meal and she often skipped, eventually dropping out.
When Murray turned 15, about a year after her mother's tragic death from AIDS, she found herself living on the streets. The pains of homelessness, hunger, and the harsh winter prompted her determination to change her life. She vowed to return to high school, and despite the odds against her, she gained admission to Humanities Preparatory Academy in Chelsea.
Turning Points and Transformation
Murray's motivation to succeed was not driven by desperation alone, but also by her mother's aspirations for her. Hunger and the bitter cold pushed her, but the longing to fulfill her late mother's dream proved to be the more potent motivator. At Humanities Preparatory Academy, she applied herself to her studies and provided for her basic needs through various odd jobs. These ranged from selling flowers and magazines to getting part-time work at a real estate brokerage.
Despite juggling her schoolwork and jobs, Murray excelled acadically, attracting attention from her teachers. She also received encouragement from Perry, a former schoolmate, who'd become her best friend and supporter. With the guidance of her mentors, she applied for the prestigious New York Times scholarship for students in need, impressively, she was chosen as one of the winners.
Overcoming Educational Gaps
Breaking Night also sheds light on the not-so-obvious challenges a student like Murray is likely to face. After being accepted to Harvard with her scholarship, she found the transition from a life of homelessness to academic rigor strenuous. She found herself battling with feelings of inadequacy and struggled to keep up due to gaps in her prior education.
Choosing to confront these feelings of inadequacy head-on, Murray decided to take a leave of absence from Harvard. She devoted this time to personal development and self-education. She completed her GED during this period and returned to Harvard more prepared to tackle academic challenges. Her return marked a new phase in her life as she let go of her past struggles, focusing instead on her education and future.
The Impact of Support and Determination
Throughout the narrative, Murray underscores the importance of support from teachers, mentors, and friends in her transformative journey. Their belief in her potential and constant encouragement played a crucial role in her progress. Perry, in particular, plays a significant role in her life, providing emotional support and companionship. However, it was her own resilience and determination that enabled her to overcome difficult circumstances and make something of herself.
Concluding Breaking Night, Murray's story serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of determination. Despite all odds, she transitioned from a life of homelessness and poverty to graduating from an Ivy League university. Her story inspires us by demonstrating that with the right mindset and determination, one's past need not dictate the future.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Breaking Night about?
Breaking Night is a memoir by Liz Murray that tells the inspiring story of her journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a successful student at Harvard University. Murray shares her experiences of homelessness, drug-addicted parents, and the challenges she faced in pursuit of education. It is a powerful and uplifting tale of resilience and determination.
Breaking Night Review
Breaking Night (2010) is the captivating memoir by Liz Murray, showcasing her journey from homelessness to Harvard. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- With raw honesty, it delves into the hardships and resilience of a young woman determined to rise above her circumstances.
- The book offers a glimpse into the reality of life on the streets, challenging our preconceptions and inspiring empathy.
- Through Liz's courage and determination, this book highlights the power of education and the human spirit to overcome adversity.
Who should read Breaking Night?
- Individuals looking for inspirational stories of perseverance and resilience
- Those interested in understanding the struggles faced by individuals in poverty
- Readers who want to gain insights into overcoming adversity and achieving personal and professional success
Categories with Breaking Night
Book summaries like Breaking Night
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Breaking Night FAQs
What is the main message of Breaking Night?
The main message of Breaking Night is resilience and the power of education in overcoming adversity.
How long does it take to read Breaking Night?
Reading time for Breaking Night varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Breaking Night a good book? Is it worth reading?
Breaking Night is a compelling memoir that showcases the strength of the human spirit. It is definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of Breaking Night?
Liz Murray is the author of Breaking Night.
What to read after Breaking Night?
If you're wondering what to read next after Breaking Night, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Emergency by Neil Strauss
- The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Man Who Fed the World by Leon Hesser
- Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
- Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh
- Do No Harm by Henry Marsh