Age Group:
Youth and Adults

Genre:
Historical Fiction, Coming-of-age, Social Commentary, Holocaust

Synopsis:
Anne Frank captured the hearts of generations with her fascinating true life account of hiding in an annex during the Holocaust. In this novel, Sharon Dogar re-imagines what life was like for 16-year-old Peter van Pels, whose family lived together in hiding with the Franks.

With a sensitivity for the subject matter, Dogar uses a first person perspective to explore how Peter coped with the precocious Anne and their ensuing affection for each other. Peter must grapple with the fact that he is one of the lucky ones, safely hidden away from the Nazis, yet he feels guilt for not joining the resistance movement. Peter is a well developed character, whose thoughts and experiences come to life in this unique and compelling narrative.

My Thoughts:
Annexed has received somewhat of a controversial reputation due to scenes that display a growing physical and emotional relationship between Anne and Peter. But as many reviewers will note, the sexual scenes (if they can even be called such) are innocent and play an insignificant role in the plot in contrast to the shared horror and repression shared by Anne and Peter. This is an important novel. And one that sheds new light on one of the Holocaust’s most iconic figures.

Borrow Annexed from your local VPL library today!

If you’re interested in reading more exceptional Holocaust literature, try the following non-fiction titles:

1. The Pianist: The Extraordinary Story of One Man’s Survival in Warsaw, 1939-45 by Wladyslaw Szpilman

2. Clara’s War: A Young Girl’s True Story of Miraculous Survival Under the Nazis by Clara Kramer

3. Hiding Edith: A True Story by Kathy Kacer

Have you read any of these books? If so, let us know what you thought!