Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. It’s Friday and time for another book review. Today I am reviewing Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank was published in June 1947 in Dutch by Contact Publishing before being published in English in 1952. The book is 368 pages long.
The Plot
The Diary of a Young Girl is a unique piece of literature compiling the daily journal entries of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who, together with her family, went into hiding in Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II.
Characters
Anne Frank
Although she was born in Germany, Anne and the rest of her family travelled to Amsterdam in the Netherlands when she was four, so her father could work.
For a gift on her thirteenth birthday, Anne receives a diary and begins to write in it regularly. She names it Kitty and confides that, although she appears outwardly an extrovert, being witty and chatty, she feels that there is a “second Anne” inside who is a more reserved introvert.
We learn from her diary that Anne dreams of becoming a writer, and you can’t ignore the bittersweet reality that, although she would never know it, she became a rather famous writer after all.
In fact, she writes in her diary, “Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on, neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl…”
Oh, Anne, how wrong you were.
Otto Frank
Otto is the husband of Edith and Anne and Margot’s father. He founded and was the Managing Director of the Dutch Opekta Company, which manufactured (amongst other things) pectin-based gelling preparations used in jam-making.
Before being forced into hiding, he is made to give up his position when the Nazis bring new regulations banning Jews from directing companies.
Edith Frank
Edith is Anne and Margot’s mother, whom Anne does not feel close to. In fact, Anne thinks her incapable of being a true mother to her and her sister. She is described by Anne as being nervous and irritable.
Margot Frank
Anne doesn’t say much about her sister, so we don’t see what she’s like. Anne and her sister aren’t close, though Anne thinks Margot is intelligent and beautiful. She also thinks she is petty and their parents’ favourite.
Jan and Miep Gies
Jan and Miep are close friends of the Frank family, and when Otto Frank is forced to give up his company, Jan takes over. Miep is one of the non-Jewish employees of the Dutch Opekta Company who helps the Franks and others to hide.
Mr and Mrs Van Daan
Anne writes that she thinks Mr Van Daan is well-versed in politics and very opinionated. She believes that he and Mrs Van Daan have a turbulent relationship and that Mrs Van Daan is a superficial, flirtatious and selfish woman.
Peter Van Daan
Peter is the son of Mr and Mrs Van Daan, and he is sixteen years old when he first moves into the secret annexe. At first, Anne finds him uninteresting, obnoxious, lazy and awkward. However, as time passes, she learns that he is, in fact, just like her – a young person with feelings and hopes and dreams. They grow a friendship and even begin a romantic relationship (which Anne’s father discourages). He is also Anne’s first kiss.
Albert Dussel
Albert is a dentist who has to leave his Christian girlfriend behind when he is forced to hide in the secret annexe. He and Anne have to share a bedroom, which causes tension between them. Anne thinks that he is self-centred, and she doesn’t like his odd personal hygiene habits.
Writing Style
Anne’s writing captures the fears, hopes, and struggles of a teenager living in confinement. She shares her private thoughts and feelings with the reader, giving us a glimpse into what it must have been like to live in constant fear and uncertainty.
Her style is incredibly conversational, which isn’t surprising since she is talking ‘to’ her journal, and the book is an engaging read, painting a vivid, though at times, sombre, picture of the life she and her family led in the secret annexe. There are moments of hope and despair, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed at times; knowing the outcome of Anne’s situation makes it difficult to bear the hopeful moments, but it’s somewhat lovely to realise that she did have hope sometimes.
Apart from portraying the harsh reality of life during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the diary also highlights the power of love and the importance of strong family bonds. The story of Anne Frank is one of the most iconic and compelling narratives in modern history, and her diary is a timeless classic that will always serve as a tribute to the human spirit.
The book is one of the most important written in the twentieth century; Anne’s words are a powerful reminder of the value of freedom and resilience in times of adversity.
Final Thoughts
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is truly a masterpiece that captures the essence of survival and hope during the darkest period of human history (so far). It’s a vital voice among many from that time, all of them voices we should listen to as often as we can so that we never forget the horrors our species is capable of.
As the world looks back on this tragic period, The Diary of a Young Girl still resonates with readers of all ages because it touches us in our humanity. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of tolerance, understanding, and love for all human beings.
I am giving Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl a 10/10. How could I not?
Have you read Anne’s diary? Have you watched any of the adaptations made based on the book? I haven’t seen any of them, so please, feel free to point me towards the better ones.
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review. You can’t know how much it means to me that you’re spending some of your time here.
Until next time,
George
© 2023 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
Leave a comment