Book info

• Title The Diary of a Young Girl
• Author Anne Frank
• Year 1947
• Genre Memoir

In July 1942, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the occupation, went into hiding in an Amsterdam warehouse. Over the next two years Anne vividly describes in her diary the frustrations of living in such close quarters, and her thoughts, feelings and longings as she grows up. Her diary ends abruptly when, in August 1944, they were all betrayed.

Thoughts

I’ll admit I only read this because I watched the BBC version and adored it. I wasn’t as taken with the written version, but it’s the kind of book you can’t really criticise because it’s real life history in your hands. The story is tragic, of course, but reading the innermost thoughts of those involved makes it even more real.

Going back to the book, though, I did find it tough going. I think it was another one of those issues where I couldn’t relate to this 13 year old girl who dreamed big. She was so full of thoughts about politics and the future. When I was 13 I thought about pop music and bubblegum. I feel terrible about this.

Still, I did manage to read it all the way through this time, which is something to note, as I believe I have tried and failed a couple of times before.

Rating: 3 / 5