First published in 1947 by Contact Publishing in Amsterdam, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl received wide appreciation and critical attention. One of the most widely read books of all time, this book has already been published in almost 55 languages and inspired by its popularity, a play was also adapted in 1955 on this book. The striking success of this play caused the screenwriters to make a movie of this book in 1957, which too, was a smashing success.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Mass Market Paperback: 275 pages
Plot:
A Jewish teenager named Anne Frank who was born in Germany in 1929 wrote this book. After the birth of Anne, the Frank family moved to Amsterdam in 1933 and thus, Anne spent most of her life living in or near Amsterdam. The book takes us at the time of the Second World War, when the Jews were being hunted down and killed by the Nazis. 1933, was the same year when the Nazis took control over Germany and before long, in May 1940, the Frank family along with all the other Jews of Amsterdam, were trapped there by the German Occupation of the Netherlands. As life became difficult and more Jews began to take shelter in Amsterdam, increasing the Jewish population, the Frank family had no option left but to go into hiding. Thus, the entire family went to hide in some concealed rooms in the building where Otto Frank, Anne’s father worked.
Anne had written this book, that is, her diary when she was in hiding and had nobody to talk to. She needed a friend to share her troubles with and she found that friend in her diary.
Anne was a Jew in hiding who had to fight the everyday fear of getting caught and killed. To top it all off, she was also a teenager who was experiencing emotional changes. Thus, this book discusses the themes of sharing and selfishness in the war and about the loneliness of growing up.
Anne and her family spent nearly 2 years in hiding, but unfortunately, their trusted ones betrayed them. Their information was leaked out to the Nazis and the entire Frank family was found and captured. They were all sent to concentration camps where the entire family, save Otto, died due to typhus in 1945. The only survivor of the Frank family, Otto found Anne’s diary and after many trials, he finally got it published.
Review:
The Diary of a Young Girl is a book which must be read at least once by every teenager. This book not only teaches us about war, but also tells us about all the changes that a teenager goes through and all the emotions that are felt by a typical teenager.
Happy Reading!!