Status
Available
Call number
Publication
New York : W.W. Norton, c2005.
Description
A fictionalized account of the post-war life of Peter, who hid in the secret annex with Anne Frank and her family, follows his survival of the Holocaust, his relocation to America, and his memories upon the publication of Anne's diary.
User reviews
LibraryThing member gfreewill
I read this from cover-to-cover in one evening’s time. It is a fictional story about Peter van Pels, the young boy who hid with Anne Frank when she wrote her diary and what his life would have been like if he survived. This was a very psychological book, in that in Peter’s character you could
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see many of the effects that a Holocaust survivor might have dealt with in family and professional life long after leaving the camps. At times, I really believed that the real Peter had survived and the author talked to him before writing the book. So all in all, it was sad and bittersweet, but very well written and researched. I would recommend it if you like this kind of book. Show Less
LibraryThing member writestuff
A very human glimpse into the aftermath of the horrors of the Holocaust...and what it might be like to survive something one would rather forget. It raises great questions about faith, fear, denial, the fragile nature of memory, and how far a person might go to keep a secret about their past.
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Feldman got her idea for this book after visiting the Secret Annex and hearing a guide remark that the fate of all its inhabitants was documented except for Peter's (this was later discovered to be untrue...but not until Feldman was far along in her research and writing of the novel). Feldman weaves a tale of who Peter might have been had he survived. She creates an unforgettable character in Peter; one who haunted my dreams after finishing this book. Highly recommended! Show Less
LibraryThing member godfreysmama
A fictional novel about Peter, the boy who was also hiding in the secret annex. It is about Peter surving the holocaust and moving to America. How Peter responds to the publication of Anne's diary is engaging.
LibraryThing member allene68
I read this book after reading Night by Eli W. and found it hard to put down tell I finished it. I liked how the book was written and although a work of fiction helped me glimpse a little of what survivors went through. I thought it was interesting how Peter rationalized his behavior ("all the
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other survivors might have a problem but not me"). thumbs up for sure! Show Less
LibraryThing member gwendolyndawson
The fictional story of Peter Van Pels, the teenaged boy who shared the Secret Annex with Anne Frank and her family. This is the story of the grown-up Peter with his own family and his haunted memories of Anne. Compelling in parts but a bit thin overall.
LibraryThing member suesbooks
Quite interesting novel that was mostly believable. It certainly had me thinking about how our past experiences affect our present. Can't argue with the importance of the family bond.
LibraryThing member Danielle23
An interesting story but one that could have been longer with more development.
LibraryThing member RochelleT
Not what I expected! This story surprised me and took me away from the cliche I thought it would be. There is much depth to the main character and when he cannot let go of his past and chooses to accept, discover and divulge it becomes raw and real.
LibraryThing member nicx27
The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank tells the story of Peter Van Pels, who was holed up in the annex in Amsterdam with his family and the Frank family. Instead of him dying during a death march in a concentration camp, this book has him escaping with his life, moving to America and beginning a new life.
This is a very well-written book and one which I enjoyed reading. The first third or so built up the story and then suddenly it took off and I could hardly put it down. It's a fascinating story of what ifs and an enjoyable mix of fact and fiction. It also made me think about what it would be like to have lived like that and escaped, and how you might feel about your lost family, feeling almost a sense of guilt for having survived. A thought-provoking and interesting novel that has been unread on my bookshelf for too long.
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He marries and starts a family but keeps to himself the true story of his past, which continues to haunt him throughout his life.This is a very well-written book and one which I enjoyed reading. The first third or so built up the story and then suddenly it took off and I could hardly put it down. It's a fascinating story of what ifs and an enjoyable mix of fact and fiction. It also made me think about what it would be like to have lived like that and escaped, and how you might feel about your lost family, feeling almost a sense of guilt for having survived. A thought-provoking and interesting novel that has been unread on my bookshelf for too long.
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LibraryThing member CarmenMilligan
Very, very good. Nice progression of the characters, especially the main character. Very believable, heart-wrenching story.
LibraryThing member VhartPowers
Fascinating story about what if: for a boy that didn't survive, just thre days short of his cmap being liberated.
What if the boy that was locked in the attic with Anne Frank had survived and moved to America?
Very powerful!
What if the boy that was locked in the attic with Anne Frank had survived and moved to America?
Very powerful!
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
264 p.; 25 cm
ISBN
0393059448 / 9780393059441
Local notes
2005-06 Reading Circle selection