Anne Frank's Diary.

So, as I said on the 'Who voted for Hitler" thread, I just started reading this book. I've had it for years, but always found something else to read instead. This time, through series of coincidences that I took as signs :P , I took it off the bookstand and started reading it.

It's just so amazing that a 12-year-old girl had such an insight into the world around her. I haven't got far yet. They've just moved out of their own house and have gone into hiding. Plus I have to keep telling myself that it's a true story, that it really happened. And that there were just so many similar stories

Has anyone visited the hiding place, which currently houses the Museum? Maybe some of the Dutchies here have. I'd love to hear how you liked it. I'd like to visit there and pay my respects.

What's sad is the fact that the person that betrayed them has never been identified and could have been just about anyone. What's even sadder is the fact that both Holland and Bergen-Belsen, the concentration camp where Anne and her sister were sent to, were both "taken" by the British troops shortly after they left / died

So, opinions on the book / story/ museum?

Great story... I have read the book and the play. The most interesting case is that my dad has been to Anne Franks home and the museum. So he told me all about it... The thing that gets me everytime is the fact they were in hiding all day... Which meant they really couldn't do anything... I don't know how they kept themselves occupied. Other than the board games and stuff like that. The tragedy being everyone dies but Otto... Very emotional towards the end. Miep is a hero... Thumbs up her way and I would have done the same. You'll love the story and I think everyone should read it.

Ryan

nope I haven't - weird cause I used to pass it on my bike almost daily and pointed a billion of tourists towards it. But I guess you never really visit the 'touristy' places in your own hometown. That's a bad excuse though as it's probably quite a big part of the Dutch war history...

I've read the book a few times and remember watching a Anne Frank film at school when I was about 11 or so. I remember the silence in our classroom so well during the film, it was almost scary. The impact of the story is just so big and I guess when you're about the same age as Anne and living only a few k's from where it all happened it gets to you even more. The film ends with some background information, there's also something about the liberation of Holland shortly after they died and then the screen fades black. Even after not seeing the film for 10 years I have a very clear image of just that... it's so sad .

Must be very moving to read it in the original language it was written. The English translation is impeccable, but I'm sure it's just not the same.

I know what you mean about not visiting the well-known places in your hometown too. I live in Madrid and most tourists who have spend a day here will have visited more thing than I in all probability. I keep telling myself to go see this and that but the fact is I never get round to it

I just thought you might have visited there on a school visit or something

I read it the first time at school i was 13, then i read it two times again. Not my favourite sort of books but it's a great book. It's amazing how she wrote this diary .... when you think of how they lived ....
Our teacher insisted on the fact she was about our age, we all thought she was so brave and patient.
Certainely one of the best book we worked on at school, sad and difficult but i hope they still work on it in school everywhere.

I've never actually been either, although I live relatively close by. I've read the book and each year the film is on TV on Liberation Day. It always got to me when reading it that she died about a week before the camp was liberated, seemed so ironic and such a waste of a young life. Very poignant book and I feel should be read by all.

Yes, I was just reading and thinking of those years in hiding all thrown away because someone found out about them and decided to betray them. She's constantly alluding to how afraid she is of someone finding them hidden and the terrible thing she sees and hears happening to her acquaintances. Must have been terrible.

And she was so clever - she makes such poignant remarks on the world and the people around her too. Such a loss, not only herself but all those who died just because of their religion

I guess what is sad though was that they were found out by accident, a burglar found them. They had nearly survived the whole war there.. if it hadn't been for him they would have made it..

(grrr... I had written a reply and my internet connection decided to have a rest )

Yesterday I remember reading no one knew for a fact who had betrayed them. They have a couple acquaintances that could have done but so far they have concluded nothing against one or the other. A burglar would have been even wrose luck, the worst of coincidences!

At any rate it's just terrible - spenind a couple of years deprived of going out to the street, of behaving "normally" just for nothing