Have just read Anne Frank& loved it but what next?

[parker1313]

I have just read Anne Frank.I absolutely loved it and am annoyed Iv left it so late to read.
I found it interesting and just dont know what to read next?
I am interested in the war/jews part.
Can anyone suggest what I may find interesting?

another sad one, but v. good - Diary of Petr Ginz

[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Petr-Ginz-Chava-Pressburger/dp/1843545543/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8 &s=books&qid=1253476498&sr=8-2}}

or you might want to read some books by Primo Levi (some are about his time in Auschwitz - If this is a Man and The Truce).

or the book or the film of Schindler's list.

if you put Anne Frank into amazon you will also find related books that might interest you, giving background to her life, or telling the story of other members of her family.

Sophie's Choice? (It's a devastating read though)

I really loved Anne Frank, i read it when i was about 12 and my firend told me it had naughty bits in it I was plesantly suprised that the actual story was interesting to.

The Endless Steppe.

And for the war in general, the whole big picture:

The Winds of War
War & Remembrance

an American viewpoint but a stunning read

Children's books but wonderful

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
The Long way round (I think thats right, its the sequel to above)
The Silver Sword
I am David (not strictly about the Holocaust but its implied IYSWIM).

Oh I love I Am David, chegirl

It was post WWII though, he was in a camp somewhere to the N of Thessalonika - Bulgaria or Yugoslavia I thought? So Communist/Cold War. But yes, still very much young child caught up in adult political mess.

Its fantastic isnt it? Did you hear it on R4/R7 a while ago? Mesmerising.

It was a communist concentration camp I believe. I didnt know this when I first read it and was a bit confused. I sort of gave up trying to work out the history/logistics/geography and let myself be carried along. I just didnt have the knowledge required to do otherwise I am ashamed to say

Its one of those that you read in one go.

And weep & weep, at his ignorance & innocence & sweetness throughout, but most of all at the ending...

I didn't hear it on the radio. I'll look out for it!

Oh the ending! How did the author manage to make it so believable?

It could so easily been mawkish and far fetched.

Still - better not give it away

OK , so slightly different but still on war and made me think about it for days is Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. Broke my heart that book.

Would second When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. My mother just read it and was keen to tell me how good it was - I've only been telling her that for 25 years

When I Lived in Modern Times by Linda Grant may be of interest too. A damn good book.

and The War and After by Ann Karpf.

and from an earlier period, have you read Testament of Youth? I'm not sure if it's one of those things that everyone has read so it's embarrassing to even recommend it, but I have the feeling it's not as popular as it used to be. I love it though.

The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank is interesting.

The Book Thief?

One of the best I've read is called The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn
Would also say When Hitler stole Pink Rabbit for a child's eye view.

Closely Observed Trains by Bohumil Hrabel

Some old books with relatively new editions: "A square of sky" by Janina David - read it as a child & still find it touching; "Fly away home" by Christine Nostlinger - a child's perspective from the 'other' side

And Stones from the River, by Ursula Hegi - not strictly a war time book, but it features high and is absolutely mesmerizing

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas is a good read (again, a children's book so I read it easily in a couple of hours). It's also been made into a film very well - it keeps the feeling of the book.

There is a book called Edith, it is quite similar, i recommend it.

Alicia by Alicia Appleman-Jurman is an amazing memoir. I read it as a teenager not long after reading Anne Frank.

Alicia

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig

Mischling Second Degree by Ilse Koehn

"A square of sky" by Janina David. I loved it when I read it the first time (I was 12). I still re read it once every couple of yrs, I know it by heart.

Have you tried Hannah's suitcase. A true story of a suitcase from a concentration camp ended up in Japan. A teacher found a letter in it and tracked down the brother of Hannah who had died in the camp and returned the letters.

A time to speak by Helen Lewis- amazing book and an amazing lady.