A bit too American?
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I first read the original translation 20 years ago and was very moved, though reading it now I can see that the language has been tidied up and often sounds far too adult for a teenager. This 'Definitive Edition' is excellent in some ways because it contains a lot of material which wasn't included before but the new translation reads too much like an American high school student (eg lots of references to 'candy' 'fifth grade' 'report card' 'smart' 'goof'). It gives the impression of a poor, victimised American girl, whereas Anne Frank was European, in fact German (not Dutch!). I believe Anne Frank learnt British English, (her father was a great Dickens fan) so a lot of these terms would be completely alien to her. And historically speaking a translation into British English would be more fitting, because it is, like Anne, European. Let North America have this translation, but will we ever get a translation for the non-American market instead of having an American take on everything foisted on us?
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a really touching book
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This is an amazing book which gives you an insight of what life was really like for people during the second world war. Through the eyes of Anne Frank you begin, and only begin, to learn of some of the traumatic things which happened to ordinary people, you learn what it was like to be hidden away and to be virtually cut off from the rest of the world for three years. This book was really touching and I felt part of what was going on at this time through Anne Frank. Although I could not sympathize with her because I have never and hope to never be in the same situation as her I felt I was able to understand what was going on at that time and I felt sorry for her, her family and her friends. I really loved this book and couldn't put it down.It was wonderful!!!
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The sub-title tells the truth.
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This is the diary of a young girl or, to put it another way, a young girl's diary. Anne was not a genius, she was not a saint and she was not a great writer. She was a young girl and her writing and observations are those of a young girl. The holocaust was vile, this is true but it doesn't exist inside the covers of this book. The holocaust was the ovens, the gas chambers, the use of the ashes of burned jews to cover the paths at Auschwitz. Sadly Anne Frank came to this but after the diary. To see this inside he book is to bring it with you. Anne Frank was a teenage girl just like any other. That she was murdered is dreadful, that thousands like her were too is equally so. The book stands outside assesment, it is a diary, but if we didn't know what became of her or if, indeed, she had survived Bergan-Belsen this would not have the position it does now. The horror of the holocaust can be found in Elie Weisel's "Night" and Borowski's "This way for the gas, ladies and gentlemen". An attempt to explain and understand can be found in the work of Primo Levi. Neither is found in Anne Frank's diary. There we have a picture of one who died. Do we have to be told that the jews were human?
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it was an EXPERIANCE to read this
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when i finshed this book, i felt so upset and unhappy. The diary ended SOOOO suddenly, and then the last page tells me about how everyone got killed and my heart dropped. It was unlike any book i have ever read, and even though whenever i think of it i feel upset, i am soo happy that ive read it. Anybody can read this book, it is made for any ge group. Being her age, I think i find it easier to understand her though. I think EVERYBODY should have a go at reading this book. Keep reading it, even through the boring parts.
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Probably the most deeply moving book I have ever read.
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The most profoundly human meets the most profoundly inhuman. Unforgetable.
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United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada