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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Twenty years ago, The Diary of Anne Frank was forced on my class by my high school English teacher, probably part of the curriculum. What I read was, of course, unexpectedly fascinating and stuck with me throughout the years, as I am sure it does for anyone else who has read it.
Years later, I spotted the "Definitive Edition" in a bookstore and, though not intending to buy it to read it again, I read the cover. It claimed to be a "more complete" version of the diary, containing approximately 30% more text than earlier versions, revealing Anne as a realistic teenage girl writing in a personal journal that she (initially) never expects anyone to read. (I never knew that what I read in school had been "edited down.") I purchased it and having completed it, I can say that she is NOT the Anne Frank I remember from high school. The additional text is enormously important. She is quite, um, "frank" (sorry, but it's the right word) in her writing about her thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Her observations are insightful beyond those of most. She is finally revealed to me as being a REAL PERSON and this makes her story so much more involving, entertaining, accessible...and therefore more important.
Looking back, I feel that the condensed version I read in school does her (and her millions of readers who read the earlier version) an injustice because it simply doesn't feel quite real. She was too nice, too perfect, like a made-up character. Now I know that the Diary of Anne Frank that I had read had been edited, polished, and sanitized. It's a shame. The impact of the Definitive Edition had on me is far more potent because I believed it more.
Don't pass this up. If you are reluctant to tackle a book about heavy subject matter like the Holocaust, don't worry. That's not what this is, it the Diary of A Young Girl and no matter who you are, no matter what your background, you will relate. |
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Diana Williams (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
This was such a well written book, that you would think an adult wrote. To know that a young lady wrote this was truly an inspiration for all those young people with writing dreams such as Anne's. Anne and her family went through such a hard two years and still remained hopeful and positive. This book really gives a great picture of what the Jewish community went through, all the unjust moves against them. It made me gain more respect for ALL religions and races. This book makes you wish that more help was sent to these people. We can never understand all the hardships The Franks went through, but we can help those going through similar persecution. |
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J. Pearson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
Reading the whole diary was a very big influence to my life. What happened in world war II and how bad people were treated is just devastating. This book gives you a good insight from the point of view of what really happened. Also Anne Frank's diary was about her changing from being girl to woman also. Yes there are some parts that seem like she is just yapping her mouth but that is natural when you convey your feelings to your personal diary. Every book has good points and bad points. I will write on both:
Good Points
1. Gives good perspective of what WWII was like
2. Let's you know a person who deserved to live
3. Helps understand children going through puberty and how their mind changes
4. Reminds us of the horror of what the Nazi's did and should of never happened
Bad Points
1. Anne at times carries on and on (but she wanted to be a journalist)
2. If you are looking for a book that is straight to the point this isn't that kind of book (This is a diary)
Overall, I love this book for its reality and down to earth point of view. Makes you think about what it was really like. Anne Frank was a girl that was killed just for her belief in God. The Nazi's should never been allowed to do this but it happened. May the mistakes of WWII never happen again. |
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Loren Mendoza (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
A year ago, I was forced to read this book by my english teacher... At first, looking at the cover, (it was red with a picture of a girl) I had an impression that i would not enjoy reading it...
After a couple of days, i was surprised to see myself bringing the book everywhere I go... During break times, lunch, and spend 2 full hours reading it at home...
Reading this diary, made me picture how Anne had her teenage life.. It was really different from mine. Nothing beats how a 13 year old girl manage to live a life like a prisoner in the attic. No other friends to talk too... Same people she sees every single day... In a small place called the "Secret Annexe".
Can you imagine that that kind of life? That you have no idea if you can eat or not, if you should talk or remain silent for the whole day... or if you can still get out of that Annex and live a normal life again... Can you imagine? But still, they remained hopeful until the last air they breathe...
For me, those people are the real heroes. They never gave up. They sacrificed and united. And best of all, their faith in God reamined strong.
This book influenced millions and millions of people from all over the world. This is a real story of a real world... And the fact that this happens too to so many people. Sometimes we ask, "Why do we need to repeat History?"
Read this book and you'll realize that this is different, worth it and remarkable... |
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A kid's review (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
The book Anne Frank is about a young girl who finds herself in the WWII. This young girl realizes that her country is being attacked by an evil dictator, Hitler, and his troops. Since Hitler was against Jewish people, the Jewish had two choices: being tortured till they die, or go into hiding. Anne and her family were qualified in the group of Jewish people. Her family, fortunately, found some one to help them go into hiding. She and her family had to learn how to adjust with the other family that was going into hiding with them. Of course life wasn't the same since the war and it wasn't a pleasurable moment for any of the people, especially the Jews. War got worse every day. A lot of people that were in hiding were found and burned in ovens .After so many worrying days the soldiers found the two families. Anna got her head shaved and was sent to a Jew camp where the Jews were tortured. At first they would shave their hair off and then put in tent and won't have food or water. Of course the human body cannot survive without these two sources. So they were tortured like this until they died. Anne, unfortunately, died this way. Her father, later in life, found this young girls diary and made it into a book so the world can see how this young girl was tortured till death. A lot of people have devoted their time and money to support Anne Frank. It's a heart breaking story that changes many peoples point of view to life. |
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A Kid's review (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-04 00:00>
"Work love, courage and hope make me good and help me cope." Anne Frank is only 13 years old when she is plucked from reality and placed on the upstairs floor of "Glies and Co.," the company where her father used to work. Without many outfits, or much food, the Franks, along with the Van Daans (a family that joined them later at Glies and Co.,), and an old dentist must learn to get along, and trying to froogle the money the best they can. But when prices go up, and Anne can't seem to find a moment in the day when she isn't caught in a squabble, she is forced to lean on Peter, the old and only Van Daan child. But when Peter and her seem to be getting a little too close, how will her father react? And with all the sudden attacks (including bombings and shotting), how is Anne supposed to fall into her dreams at night? It seems the only way is to cry herself to sleep. And to top it all off, Anne still has to go to "school" with lessons every day- and a tun of homework! Read as Anne goes through both good and bad times for almost 2 years in a little building she calls home. While the family is in poverse, can Anne keep the family together while trying not to make a lot of noise?
I enjoyed reading this book because it gives a person a real first person look at the war, and how poorly the Jews where being treated, and how Anne Frank has to learn to cope in such a situation. Anne goes into some deeper subjects (such as sex, and private parts), and if that stuff bothers you, just skip that entry because this book is a definite must-read for young women and men. Anne Frank has a very powerful style of writing, and I almost think she was like a 30 year old woman stuck inside a 14 year-old's body. I really got sucked into what she was saying! Although little sections in this book may seem a little dull- don't be discouraged! Keep reading - the book ending is very unexpected! Be sure to read the Afterword for much more information on how Anne did after her last entry! (it isn't exactly HAPPY news) |
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