Anne Frank : The Diary of a Young Girl
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction
Book Type: Paperback
Of the books that have had any impact on my life, "Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl" has had the deepest and most lasting. Written by 12-15 year old Jew-in-hiding Anne Frank during the German occupation of Holland during WWII. It is her diary - her personal thoughts, recollections, musings; her hopes, her dreams, her fears. The context of history provides a foreshadowing that holds a readers attention more than the writings of any other teenage girl.
First published in 1952, and as a play in 1955, I had the privilege 25 years later, in 1980, to perform in this play as a high school junior. I recall reflections at the time that the things we were acting were actually experienced by someone only several years younger than ourselves. It made for strong emotions and powerful storytelling. I had never read the book until now. Many fond memories that had faded came flooding forward while reading a phase or sentence that sounded familiar and caused me to reflect.
Now, an additional 38 years later, I feel the power of Anne's words no less poignantly than I did then. Touching, thought provoking, sincere truths -
"Its really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."
First published in 1952, and as a play in 1955, I had the privilege 25 years later, in 1980, to perform in this play as a high school junior. I recall reflections at the time that the things we were acting were actually experienced by someone only several years younger than ourselves. It made for strong emotions and powerful storytelling. I had never read the book until now. Many fond memories that had faded came flooding forward while reading a phase or sentence that sounded familiar and caused me to reflect.
Now, an additional 38 years later, I feel the power of Anne's words no less poignantly than I did then. Touching, thought provoking, sincere truths -
"Its really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."
