Review: The Diary of a Young Girl (Definitive Edition) by Anne Frank

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl (Definitive Edition)
Author: Anne Frank
Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: October 15, 2011 (first published 1947)
Edition: ebook, Definitive Edition, 352 pages
Genres:

• Nonfiction
• Biography
• Classics
• Family and culture
• History
• Memoir
• World War II

Literary Awards:

• Luisterboek Award (2008)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anne Frank went into hiding in an attic, along with her parents, sister and other, in July 1942. For two years, she remained in hiding, depending on the kindness and provision of friends and helpers for food, clothing and survival. In August, 1944, she and those in hiding with her were arrested, and ultimately sent to concentration camps where she, her mother and sister died. After the war ended, Anne's father decided to publish her diary, in accordance with Anne's wishes, so that the world might know what happened during those years, and what her life was like under NAZI occupation.

More than one edition of her diary has been published. This edition is a compilation of her original diary, one she edited for possible publication when the war ended, and some pages found later which were authenticated as part of Anne's writings. The Forward of this edition explains the publication history of Anne's diary in totality.

I have read the original diary, published in 1947, several times, and decided to read the "Definitive Edition" for the first time. I have mixed feelings about it. It is certainly more complete than the original publication in 1947, so, perhaps, is a more accurate rendering of Anne's thoughts. However, I found it rather depressing because of Anne's fixation with dislike for her mother. Many passages in this edition are devoted to this subject, and it changes my perception of the girl Anne was. That, perhaps, is not necessarily a negative, but I must confess to having trouble seeing Anne as the same girls as in the original diary. This Anne seems much more self-centered and self-absorbed. This Anne seems disrespectful of her mother. This Anne seems more out of touch with the norms of her day when it comes to politeness. I find myself still trying to reconcile the Anne of the original publication with the Anne of this edition.