My Friend Anne Frank

“My Friend Anne Frank: The Inspiring and Heartbreaking True Story of Best Friends Torn Apart and Reunited Against All Odds” is a powerful and moving memoir by Holocaust survivor Hannah Pick-Goslar. The book offers an intimate look into her life and enduring friendship with Anne Frank, both before and after they went into hiding.

The narrative begins in 1933 when Hannah and her family fled Nazi Germany for Amsterdam, where she formed a close bond with Anne, her next-door neighbor. The two girls enjoyed a carefree childhood until the Nazi occupation changed their lives in 1942. Anne and her family disappeared, leaving behind unanswered questions for Hannah.

The memoir chronicles Hannah's experiences during the Holocaust, from the introduction of anti-Jewish laws in Amsterdam to her family's imprisonment in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The story provides a searing look at the hardships endured by children under the Nazi regime and offers a never-before-seen portrait of Anne Frank.

Hannah's firsthand account is hailed as the missing piece to Anne's story, offering a complete picture of their friendship. The book underscores the importance of reading primary accounts from Holocaust survivors, particularly as their numbers dwindle. The belief that the Franks had escaped to Switzerland gave Hannah hope, but grappling with Anne's disappearance without a word was a challenging experience.

My Friend Anne Frank is a truly moving account of the author's life and friendship with Anne. The friendship between Hannah and Anne, forged during such a dark and dangerous time, is highlighted as something beautiful. The book is recommended for those seeking to learn more about Anne Frank, Germany, and Holland during WWII, the Jewish community in Holland, the concentration camps, and life after the war.

In essence, Hannah Pick-Goslar's memoir is described as both heartbreaking and life-affirming, providing an essential perspective on one of the darkest periods in history.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this great opportunity to read and review the arc copy.