On February 16, 1944, Anne Frank recorded in her diary that Peter, whom she at first disliked but eventually came to love, had confided in her that...
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reviews
Jun 26, 2010
Kristin
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Ellen Feldman has created an alternate universe in her novel The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank. In this universe, Peter Van Pels (Peter Van Daam in Anne's famous diary) survives the Holocaust. Keeping his identity and Judaism a secret, he emigrates to the United States. The story begins in the 1960s. Peter is married, has children and is co-owner of successful business. However, his life begins to unravel when he notices the cover of a book his wife is reading: The Diary of a Young Girl. Peter
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May 12, 2010
Paula
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‘The Boy who loved Anne Frank’ tells the story of Peter van pels, also known as Peter van Daan in ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ and what if he had survived the war. The story begins with Peter seeing a doctor because he has lost his voice, he does not understand why he has lost his voice but as the story progresses you find out why, as hard as he tries to forget, Peter cannot leave his time in annexe in the past, his experiences following his liberation. Peter struggles with himself, he hides his tr
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Mar 11, 2009
Pamela
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Its first person narrative makes this book a compelling read. It takes the reader to a different perspective from that usually seen in fiction: the long term consequences for a victim. What if a person chooses to hide (or run from) his Jewishness and sufferings in WWII? How long can he stay in denial or "forget" the most traumatic events of his life? How does such trauma begin to seep through into his daily life? How does the past corrode and to what extent does it superc More...
Mar 30, 2011
Luscinnia
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Die Geschichte von Peter van Pels, der mit Anne Frank, ihren Familien und dem Zahnarzt Fritz Pfeffer mehr als zwei Jahre im "Hinterhaus" versteckt lebten ehe sie - wahrscheinlich - verraten und deportiert wurden.
Laut Autorin ist Peter der Einzige, der Hinterhaus-Bewohner über dessen Verbleib man zunächst nichts genaues wusste. Sehr wahrscheinlich ist aber, dass er während eines Gewaltmarsches von Auschwitz nach Mauthausen ums Leben kam. Aber was wäre, wenn er überlebt hatte? Wenn More...
Laut Autorin ist Peter der Einzige, der Hinterhaus-Bewohner über dessen Verbleib man zunächst nichts genaues wusste. Sehr wahrscheinlich ist aber, dass er während eines Gewaltmarsches von Auschwitz nach Mauthausen ums Leben kam. Aber was wäre, wenn er überlebt hatte? Wenn More...
Jan 01, 2012
Donna
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Another historical fiction novel by an author I have been enjoying. This one plots the life of Peter, the boy who was in hiding with Anne Frank during WW II. This is a "what if" story as the real Peter died in a camp, but this is how his life might have been had he escaped and come to America. It was an interesting insight into the horrible aftermath of the war in the life of those who survived. The Peter in the story was haunted by dreams and memories as he makes the effort to mak
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Sep 18, 2010
Melissa
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I was looking forward to reading this book after having enjoyed Feldman's other novel, Lucy. However, I was highly disappointed by this book. The title of this novel is deceiving--I was expecting a story about the romance or friendship between Peter and Anne while in hiding and the impact of this relationship on Peter's and/or Anne's lives following the war. It may have been a more interesting twist if Feldman had wrote the novel as if in addition to Peter, Anne had survived the Holocaust as
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Aug 11, 2011
What a great concept for a novel. From the authors perspective, The boy who loved Anne Frank narrates the life of Peter van Pels in America decades after the war. A great read for those who have read The Diary of Anne Frank at some point in their lives. One needs to remind themselves that this is fiction whilst reading it as you can easily lose yourself on how believable the story could be. Despite some dull moments for such a short story, I truly enjoyed reading it and my curiosity for Anne
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Jul 04, 2011
Nichole
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I just came across this book at the library and was instantly interested... can't wait to dive into this one. I think that the author did a nice job picking up where Peter's life could have left off after WWII ended. I think that she really did her research and portrayed Peter in a very realistic way. It was interesting to read about his coping skills after the war ended and what he thought that he needed to protect his family from (wife and children). I liked the quotes at the beginning of each
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May 24, 2009
Thejamiemarie
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This book was kind of hard for me to get through. Not because I didn't like it, but because it was a bit slow moving and hard to get into. I liked it though. It was told from an interesting perspective. Everyone talks about Anne Frank (who's diary made me cry I might add, but then again what sad book doesn't? *sigh* I'm such a baby), but Peter was never reported dead or alive. I like the idea of him being alive and still caring about Anne. I didn't regret reading this book, but it was wasn't the
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Aug 12, 2011
Rachel
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I stumbled upon this book--not even sure where. It feels like a disservice saying this book was amazing. Because it was so much more than amazing. It changed me. I know that I'm a different person as a result of this book. Perhaps, it just solidified my obsession with Anne Frank or maybe it's because I'm older now, than when I first discovered Anne and her diary---but the book gave me hope that survival is always possible. That our past may haunt us but in the end when we trust and embrace the
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Sep 08, 2011
Teena
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Lets imagine that Peter, the boy who shared Anne Frank's hideaway for 2 years, somehow survived the horrors of the concentration camps and was able to escape to the United States after the war. What sort of man would he have become, having lived through such trauma? This book fictionalises the life Peter didn't have. The essence of the book - how survivors carry the weight of their survival with them eternally - may relate to real Holocaust survivors. And in fact, don't we all carry our life bag
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Jun 21, 2008
Magpie
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This book was absolutely fabulous. It was told by the ever honest but modest Peter van Pels, best friend to the famous Anne Frank. Though the real Peter died three days before his concentration camp was liberated, the author took an interest in him and wrote the story of his life if he had made it.
Peter becomes a citizen of America, a particularly successful one, after having started a business with a good friend. He marries, has children, and lives a seemingly perfect life... until Anne' More...
Peter becomes a citizen of America, a particularly successful one, after having started a business with a good friend. He marries, has children, and lives a seemingly perfect life... until Anne' More...
Mar 06, 2008
Susan
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One of my book groups read The Diary of Anne Frank and this novel for the same meeting... I had found a copy in a used bookstore and was intrigued by the premise... if Peter, Anne's companion and love interest during their time hiding from the Nazi's, survived, what might have happened to him? How would his new life be affected by the publication of Anne's diary, and the play and movie that followed?
In this novel, Peter makes it to the United States and reinvents a whole new life fo More...
In this novel, Peter makes it to the United States and reinvents a whole new life fo More...
Aug 06, 2010
Ala
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Fantastic. I love it when books make me thing of historical events from a different point of view. This fictional account of Peter van Pels resonated with me, and brought to light one of the reasons for my own fascination of this time period, as said by one of the characters: "People like me, people who have had it easy, have no right to close their eyes." A major theme of the book is reconciling with your past, but one of the minor ones sparked my attention: when fiction is made from
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Nov 23, 2010
Amalie
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I really liked this book more than I thought I would. The novel is based on the supposition that Peter, the boy Anne Frank loved when they were hidden away from the Nazis in a house in Amsterdam for two years, did not die in the camps but lived.
Most of us who are familiar with Anne Frank’s story know what became of the young boy Peter van Pels, because it is well established that he died in a concentration camp in 1945. This story alters the history and tells the tale of Peter, who n More...
Most of us who are familiar with Anne Frank’s story know what became of the young boy Peter van Pels, because it is well established that he died in a concentration camp in 1945. This story alters the history and tells the tale of Peter, who n More...
Mar 22, 2010
Kristie
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this book deals with the psychology of surviving and what it takes to keep going in the aftermath. i found it interesting and yet it was hard to get close to the main character (just as it was for his family) and so it was harder for me to feel some of the things i know i should for him. it was a bit slow and laborious, but over all it was good. i like the premises and that kept it going when i wasn't overly invested in the main character. in the end i still felt i didn't know all of him althoug
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Jul 26, 2009
Kelsey
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This was an interesting book. It is written as if Anne Frank's Peter were never killed, instead immigrating to America where he becomes a successful family man. The fact that it was Anne's Peter was weak, imho. However, Peter is ultimately a man struggling with extreme survivor's guilt as the popularity of the Anne Frank book and play surround him. That part was so well done, that it made this book worth reading. Highly recommended to anyone familiar with Anne Frank's diary, or avid students
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Dec 12, 2010
Jennifer
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This book was amazing...building off of the idea that Peter, the boy Anne feel in love with while in hiding in the Secret Annex, survived and immigrated to America. The character sturggles with his secret, wanting to pass as non-Jewish and leave everything that happened behind in Europe. I thought it was thoughtful, interesting, and engaging...although almost painful to read in parts as his secret forces its way out.
Jul 07, 2007
Kristin
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Decently interesting, but the writer chickens out in the end and (SPOILER) has the boy who was never going to admit he was Jewish admit he was Jewish. Kind of defeats the purpose of writing the book, now doesn't it? We've all seen Schindler's List and so we're not in need of any more sappy endings that are sad yet inspiring. The psychology of the character in the first half of the novel is interesting, interesting enough for me to keep reading and for me to give this a few stars, but not enou
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Nov 26, 2011
Camille
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A very powerful story, beautifully written and so credible. If you're thinking that you just don't want to read another book about the holocaust, think again. Ellen Feldman offers in this book a very different perspective on this part of history in comparison to what you will have read up until now. This is about the ones who survived and it gives a very candid view on their struggle to live a "normal" life after that. Simply beautiful.
Mar 13, 2010
Kara
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A wonderful book about Anne Frank's boyfriend, Peter van Pels, during their hiding behind her father's business during the Holocaust. After starting a whole new life in America, Anne Frank's diary entries during their hiding is published, and it bring backs many memories of death and the death of his memories.
Jan 14, 2008
Katie
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The book was the story of Peter van Pels, the boy who hid in the attic with the Franks. It's premise is that there was no actual record of his death and the author imagined what he may have done if he had lived. In the novel he immigrates to America and creates the American dream for himself in order to block out the past. However, when Anne's diary is published he finds he can no longer deny his experiences. I enjoyed the reading, the story is well told, but also a painful, as you empathize
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Aug 22, 2010
Tara
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I could not put this book down. I was enthralled by the idea that Peter survived the war and tried to start all over only to be haunted by his very famous memories. I am sad to say that I have never read The Diary of Anne Frank. It is now on my must read list!
Feb 06, 2010
Magdalena
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It's one of these books which make you realize that it's not up to you WHEN, nor is it WHAT. The only decision you can really make is HOW. It doesn't make life any easier, still, it's good to remind yourself about it from time to time. And appreciate how much you've got...
May 08, 2010
Dena
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I like that Feldman got the entire idea from a misinformed Annex tour guide, who told her that nobody knew what became of Petr after the war. This is her well-researched story of what would've happened had he lived.
Mar 12, 2011
Norma
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Very interesting perspective. If only Peter (and all the rest) had lived. Just think what a different world this would have been. This book made me think of Peter and Anne for months.
Nov 13, 2010
Deborah
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Best quote: "She made me break my vow of silence. To a man like me, the only honor left, the only decency possible, is to protect others from the horror."
Diagnosis: Verfolgungsbedingt
Diagnosis: Verfolgungsbedingt
Jan 06, 2012
Amy
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This book moved me in ways that are hard to describe. It was good enough to go and buy it, and I own so many books, that I only buy them if they are amazing.
Sep 28, 2010
i really would like to finish reading this book, i started reading it in the library a while ago and i was very interested by it.
Aug 08, 2011
Bonnie
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I thought this was a great story. It hooked me in right from the beginning. I had to finish it in one day...
