Most people have seen this book even if they have not read it. It has become extremely well-known and for good reason.
The book strikes us as interesting because it is written as an honest first hand account by a Jewish girl who lived in hiding during the Nazi persecution of her people (and who was eventually captured and dies in Auschwitz). The book has great historical interest since it is from the perspective of a Jewish sufferer; since it is written by a young girl honestly; and since it contains many every day details that can be missed by historians.
However, this book is not what you expect it to be, and its main value is not from it being a report on the Second World War. Anne Frank and her family spent most of the war in hiding. This in itself was a WWII reality, and Anne does give a great number of details about daily life during the war. Though, her writing does not focus on the war. It focuses on the small community of people who were cooped up together in hiding for those years.
This book is interesting as a frank account (pun intended) of cabin fever. Anne, who was a very perceptive girl records the psychology of the people around her and how they dealt with being enclosed together for so long. Regardless of the war that caused their situation, this book is an excellent psychological study of cabin fever. At times it is unpleasant to read since everyone becomes petty and tiring.
It is worth persevering with the book nevertheless because it has a lot to offer. Anne her self makes many keen observations, but more, because she writes honestly, many truths come across regardless of Anne's own view of these.
Anne is a very intelligent and mature young girl and it is also interesting to watch her grow and develop. The authenticity of the diary had been seriously questioned in the past. The reason for this, I believe, is because it is 'too well written'. Anne was a very talented writer and her narrative is remarkably well-written for her age.
The diary has also been edited in the past because it contains some passages where Anne develops a sexual attraction for the teenage boy that is locked up with them. This brings her into conflict with there father, and Anne at first takes a rather 'independent' approach to her family over this issue. Some publishers felt that this was inappropriate for younger readers. I would suggest that if you want to give this book to someone under the age of 16 then it would be better to get one of the edited versions.
Having said that, Anne's account of the incident is written with such detail and honesty that a thoughtful mature reader can learn from Anne's feelings and mistakes. By the end of that section Anne acts according to her father's advice and, as time passes and she becomes more clear sighted, she understands fully that her dad was correct. The content of that part of the book has a lot to offer to older teenagers and their parents who want to talk about sexual relationships and marriage.
I am recommending this particular edition that is unabridged for older teenagers, and an abridged version for younger readers. However, I do not expect the book will be particularly interesting for younger reader, since literally nothing happens for years.
A very interesting read, but not particularly as the WWII book you expected it to be.
