Anne's Story of Hiding

I read THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK or (THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL) many, many years ago, but after reading SARAH'S KEY and THE STORYTELLER (see previous posts), I wanted to go back and read the book again.  After all, it has been a very long time since I read the book originally.

I like books that are written in diary or letter/epistolary format, so I definitely enjoyed that part of the book.  This particular version is supposed to have parts that were left out of the original because they were considered too sexual or inappropriate for younger readers.  Since Anne was 13 when she and her family went into hiding, those publishing her book the first time all those years ago (her dad was part of that crew) felt that they could be removed (edited out) and Anne's story still have the effect it's meant to have.  I have to agree.  After reading both versions (even though, as I said, it's been a long time since I read it the first time), I don't feel that reading Anne's full diary makes it any better--or worse.  It simply is what it is:  a diary by a young girl becoming a young woman who has gone into hiding because if they didn't, they would be taken away to concentration camps--they'd be separated, and gassed, more than likely.

It's a powerful story whether you read the diary as it was originally published or this FULL version.  It is difficult to imagine living in such a confined space for 2 years and finding ways to get along with each other--even after arguments. 

Anne is very honest about her feelings for Peter in that she's not at all in love with him, but she needs a friend, as does he, and, as they're fairly close in age and both lonely, they naturally gravitate toward one another and wanting to be together.  Being with him provides some of the comfort she so desperately needs but can't receive from her family for various reasons, one of which is that she hates her mother.  That's really tough to read.

Anyway, if you haven't read Anne Frank's diary before, it's well worth the read........