Annexed by Sharon Dogar

Annexed

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.

I have mixed feelings about this one, in good ways. It's a very powerful book - as the blurb suggest - and it's very historically accurate in all ways it could be. I find it amazing that Sharon Dogar was able to create such a resonating story based on a diary (which, getting all lit tech, is only from Anne's very biased point of view) and still make it truthful and honest.

Peter is just like every boy, no matter which year this story is set it. I love how the relationship with Anne seamlessly develops through the story. It doesn't happen in a blink of an eye  and it takes time.

The thing that I'm more mixed about it the slowness. For those of you who've read Anne Frank's diary know that it is in no way an action book, therefore, at times, it is quite slow. But nevertheless I liked how Peter's story was more than just Anne, it was about faith, family, and identity.

I wished Sharon would have taken more of a creative liscence and done more with the story but at the same time I feel like I would have been mad if it were not as historically loyal. Ah, I'm to confuzzled (yes, I made that up.)

In one sentence:
"Sharon Dogar once again creates a powerful story that resonates with the reader."

Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Cover: 4
Overall Feeling: 4
Average: 4.2