Annexed by Sharon Dogar

Source: Publisher
Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex – but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her?
In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter’s point of view. What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her? Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together. To know you’re being written about in Anne’s diary, day after day? What’s it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution? Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting.
As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them?
Anne’s diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter’s story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps. He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz – and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex’s occupants.
I have always loved the Diary of Anne Frank. My copy of the book is so battered that I am surprised that it isn't in tiny pieces or pages missing. Of course, I was excited to hear about Annexed. Parts of Annexed were amazing, while others weren't. The Peter in Annexed and The Diary of Anne Frank are two very different people. The one in Annexed is concieted and selfish, while I always pictured him as shy, sweet, and slightly a mommy's boy. It also didn't capture Anne as I though her to be. I would have enjoyed it more, if it wasn't people that I deeply cherished in my life. Even with those reservations, I enjoyed Annexed. It was a gorgeous look into what happened in those concetration camps and the amazing people that were lost.

The plot engaged me the whole time, as I discovered a possible point of view of Peter Van Pels. I will say that this is definitely original. Dogar's writing was lovely and I enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to people that are fasinated in the Holocaust and want something new to read.