Review: Annexed by Sharon Dogar

 Summary

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 (from goodreads.com)

My Take

Well to start off, I'm not sure what all the controversy of this book is about. People feel that Sharon Dogar is changing the events that actually took place. That's ridicules because the author states more then once that she is not trying to change the facts. She is just telling Peters story from her point of view.

The story Annexed tells Peter's life from when he first went into hiding with the Franks, until his death at the time of liberation. I felt like this story really captured Peter's true emotions and feelings. The story was very real and relatable. During the book Peter tells about how he doesn't know who he is anymore. He just wants to be Peter without and labels such as Jew. Him and Anne often argue over this because she puts her faith and trust in god. But through the time in the annex, Peter and Anne learn to love each other. Peter and Anne must learn to have a relationship in a small space living with eight other people, providing no privacy at all. They must learn to live in a world where they don't know if they are going to die today or tomorrow. They live through fear, hope, uncertainty and desperation. I found this book very well written. The author did an excellent job capturing evey detail. It is also a very emotional read. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read The Diary Of Anne Frank.

Mr Rating

* * * * *

5 out of 5 stars