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jakobmarleymommy's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book at the Ann Frank House in Amsterdam. The house was the single most moving "monument" I've ever visited. Heartbreaking, yet filled with hope because of the great risk so many people took in helping hide the Frank family. It was a reminder that although the world is filled with great evil, it is also filled with great kindness and compassion.
Melissa Muller did an excellent job of portraying Ann as a real teenager, and not as the Jewish martyr that so many authors tend to do. She was a real, flawed, human being, with hopes, dreams, ambitions and flaws.
The real hero of this biography was Otto Frank; Ann's father. The choices he made were heartbreaking, but necessary to keep his family together. In a time when father's tended to be distant, Otto was highly involved in his children's lives, and loved them beyond anything else. He was a wonderfully strong man who gave his entire soul to try and save his family, which he ultimately could not do.
The author also did an excellent job of painting a picture of what life was like during WWII Amsterdam. It's difficult to imagine such a liberal, progressive city being occupied by the Nazis. Ms. Muller helped explain how it was able to happen.
A well researched, thoughful and honest tribute to Ann Frank and her family.
Melissa Muller did an excellent job of portraying Ann as a real teenager, and not as the Jewish martyr that so many authors tend to do. She was a real, flawed, human being, with hopes, dreams, ambitions and flaws.
The real hero of this biography was Otto Frank; Ann's father. The choices he made were heartbreaking, but necessary to keep his family together. In a time when father's tended to be distant, Otto was highly involved in his children's lives, and loved them beyond anything else. He was a wonderfully strong man who gave his entire soul to try and save his family, which he ultimately could not do.
The author also did an excellent job of painting a picture of what life was like during WWII Amsterdam. It's difficult to imagine such a liberal, progressive city being occupied by the Nazis. Ms. Muller helped explain how it was able to happen.
A well researched, thoughful and honest tribute to Ann Frank and her family.
kmdahlgran's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book. The writing was engaging and held my interest. I liked how the author interspersed Anne's writings throughout.
amy_in_alaska's review against another edition
4.0
This book fleshed out Anne - though she herself clearly expressed her faults in the diary, the book shows that yes, she could be somewhat of a little brat and self-centered. No more so than other children her age, but not the perfect child people wish to make her out to be. It didn't flesh out her family as much. It has the history of both Otto and Edith Frank's family, which wasn't really necessary for a more complete understanding of Anne, but did do an excellent job at portraying the Nazi regime's utter craziness (e.g., not letting Jewish families remove their possessions from Germany, and then charging them tax for abandonment of that property).
keiraday19's review against another edition
5.0
I read this a LONG time ago like i read it for the first time in 5th grade and ABSOLUTELY loved it i read it like two more times i rarely give 5 star reviews but i really loved this and couldn’t recommend it more
rlbasley's review against another edition
5.0
This book comes full circle in all my readings of Anne frank it fills in all the questions that I was left with in other books about her life and makes me mourn not only her life but those of her family and friends all the more as I read more into their lives. A definite read for anyone interested in reading more into Anne's life also great material for anyone doing a report on her.
psalmcat's review against another edition
4.0
Very good, altho' rather slow at the beginning while the author cover's Anne's family tree and childhood. The writing was easy to read, and Muller obviously interviewed lots of people very thoroughly. Fascinating to read how the Diary was put together.
thebookmouse's review
2.0
Only reason it has such a low rating - isn't because of the content, the content is brilliant and touching - but because it is a biography.
I hate biographies.
I like autobiographies.
BUT, I cannot just not read a book I've bought.
I bought it when I was in school after visiting the WWII Museum... such a sad and moving place.
Definately would recommend for people who want an insight into Anne's life without reading her diaries though!
I hate biographies.
I like autobiographies.
BUT, I cannot just not read a book I've bought.
I bought it when I was in school after visiting the WWII Museum... such a sad and moving place.
Definately would recommend for people who want an insight into Anne's life without reading her diaries though!
wesquive's review against another edition
5.0
Took me a long time to finish this book but it was worthy. Anne Frank, her diary and all she represents, I love reading as much as I can about her and her story. I like the authors writing style and how Anne's life is presented in detail without being boring and I liked how many now things I learned about her and the people around her. I totally recommend this book.