Dear Cara Letters from Otto Frank: Anne's Father Shares His Wisdom

by Cara Wilson, Otto H. Frank

The friendship, love, and joy of Otto Frank, Anne's father, and his admirers around the world, span the generations and are captured in this unforgettable true story that reflects the tumultuous American post-war years in the life of a young woman and the mentor she treasured.

Genres: Nonfiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2000

Reviews

[Dan Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Cara is a book about a man and a woman, across the world from one another, both in miles and the lives they lead. Otto Frank, who survived the death camps of the Holocaust but lost his daughter there, shares his hope and inspiration with a young American woman whose life is unfolding. His shares his unfailing human spirit and his love with Cara, a young woman who first wrote to him at the age of 13. Throughout her life, from her teen-age years, to college to marriage to motherhood, Otto Frank is there with her, offering his support and his inspiration. He listens to Cara's dreams, her troubles, her worries and through their correspondence, she feels the joy that a young person feels when someone is listening. A young woman's voice is heard. When, as an older woman, Cara's world is turned upside down, the wisdom and hope that Otto Frank gave her for twenty years, sustains her through her pain and provides her the support she needs to endure and accept, and ultimately, to grow from her own experiences. This book is must-read for young people and for adults who believe, or want to remember, through pain and turmoil, how important and precious hope, and love, is.

[Jenny Stedillie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading her description of visiting the secret annex, and meeting Miep and Otto. I skipped the parts about herself and her letters to Otto, because, as I read in some other reviews, it did seem really strange her reverie of him. She really did seem to want to be Anne reincarnate, which she herself admits .. it was an inappropriate obsession that these days probably would not go over well at all. I found that I didn’t care about her teenage girl problems and felt really awkward *for* Otto that she was writing him about them. I read all of his, however, and his advice was poignant. I gave this 2 stars because Cara annoyed me in the beginning (in the end, after introspection on her part and having gone through many of life’s lessons, I found I respected her and even liked her a little) to the point that I almost quit the book. And, a small part of me how truthful she is about Otto’s words, especially in person, as, who now could confirm them?

[Kelly Greenwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps I am reading too many Anne Frank related books. I liked the fact that Otto Frank corresponded with an Anne Fan for over 20 years, but I was disappointed by the ""Anne Frank reincarnated"" and need to discover the inner me and related references.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It enlarged my perception of Otto Frank. I found Cara to be quite idealistic (part of the Flower Child Generation) At age 12 she auditioned to play the part of Anne for the movie and then fell in love with the diary and wrote Otto who wrote back politely and made it clear he couldn't start a correspondence because so many wrote him. She ignored that and eventually had well over 20 years of friendly correspondence with him and his second wife. I went through a strong Anne Frank craze starting about the same age, 12 or 13. I identified with Anne because I too found my relationship with my mother pretty rocky. And of course because we were both Jewish. I suspect that the first reason is why many young girls read the diary. There was a shocker on the first page of the book which was a forward written by Anne's cousin: Otto knew who had betrayed them to the Nazis. I was stunned by that because that was always an open question I thought. Simon Weisenthall did locate the policeman who arrested the family, but never found the person who betrayed them to the Nazis. Mr Frank stated that he couldn't see any reason to shame the man's children so he never gave the name to anyone. I'm not so sure I agree with Mr. Frank. Maybe his children might have been better off away from that man. A friend pointed out that it is possible it was a choice between the man's children and the Frank family which I can see as a possibility. However, many people were rewarded with extra food coupons and similar sort of incentives. I imagine that was the more likely reason for the betrayal. Food was awfully hard to come by in Amsterdam towards the end of the war. The author is holding an author reading and lecture at the main library where I work on Monday so I did want to finish reading this this weekend. I may add to this review once I hear her on Monday, assuming that nothing comes up to keep me away.

[Sally Lotz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read! This is not really a book about Anne Frank - but learning how to live from Anne and her wonderful father, Otto Frank. I was amazed to read Cara's heartfelt words to Otto, and about her life long friendship with him.

[Jenifer Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some amazing words of wisdom from Otto Frank, and the meaning of life. Probably a 3 from writing standpoint (the writing is very childish - but that makes sense as the author was a child/young woman for much of the time). The last chapter, an update written as an older woman, was terrific.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read for history buffs.

[Misba Khan]

i want to read n get to know more about anne frank

[Mariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I needed to learn more about Anne.