Love, Otto: The Legacy of Anne Frank

by Cara Wilson, Otto Frank

Based on the letters between the author and Otto Frank, the story of a twenty-year correspondence reveals the man who was the father of Anne Frank.

Genres: Nonfiction

146 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1995

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick easy read, it's more about a girl growing up in the 60s and 70s than about Anne Frank, or anything related to WWII. This is a book of letters exchanged between Cara when she is a teenager and young adult, and Anne Frank's father, who is in his 70s and 80s by then.

I found the political references somewhat amusing in their similarity to phrases I hear thrown around often in today's modern world, as if the state of the nation and world today is new and unknown to past generations -

young Americans who are "very unhappy with the situation in the USA";
the "tendancy toward fascism;"
"socialism";
"communism";
"difficult to think of America as a free country anymore";
discouraging thoughts about bringing children into times of such economic and political unrest;
the "sickness in conservative thinking";
the "thinking that fears sex education and communism and atheism and integration";
the "miserable world situation";
the "danger of an uprising, a civil war";
"the foundation, the 'free' soil beneath my feet, is shaken"; the "poisoness atmosphere of fear and hate"...

Everything changes, but everything stays the same, right? It all sounds exactly like what I hear on the news in 2010, except for it was written in the late 60s and early 70s. Ironic.

[Porter Aardema · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have never seen the perspective of Anne Frank's father before, so it was interesting to read about him. Also, because he book is a compilation of letters between Cara and Otto, it was neat to read, and it give a great sense of time progression. Cara was a great protagonist to follow in this story. The reader gets to go experience her adult life, and how she handled different life events. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it as your next non fiction read.

[Margaret Gerberding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cara Wilson was one of many people who wrote letters to Otto Frank after reading The Diary of a Young Girl. The book contains their letters to each other, and the impact he had on her life. A very moving book!

[Lisa Kamhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of a young girl who reaches out to Otto Frank. With all the man suffered he maintained a positive outlook and hope for the future. Much like his daughter Anne Frank. A quick but lovely read.

[Ashley Lemarier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally enjoyed this book, not only a glimpse into the past with Cara’s storyline, how she was growing and what she was going through in the 60’s and 70’s, but also highlights what an amazing person Otto Frank was, and how Anne’s legacy lives on and inspires people.

[Blane Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book about friendship and New found hope.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Correspondence between a young, Jewish girl, then woman and Otto Frank. The writing between the letters was what interested my the most. The author describes her life growing up in the 50s and 60s. Having the Holocaust and The Civil Rights Era discussed next to each other fascinated me. The last section describing the author's visit to meet Mr. Frank way great. I liked "seeing" her visit to the Anne Frank House with Meip Geiss and meeting the Franks. A short but important book for the author to write. The letters are cumbersome to read, but impossible to criticize as they are actual correspondence.

[Keri Murcray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book! Not a very long read, but it so wonderfully captured a beautiful, over 20-year, written friendship between the author and Otto Frank (Anne Frank's father). I found their letters to each other very honest and real, and enjoyed the descriptions of the what was going on in the world as the years progressed. How wonderful that Otto Frank took the time to answer every letter written to him and that even through such heart-rending and awful sorrow he was still able to have hope, joy and love in his life. A very beautiful story and I would definitely recommend it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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