Book Review: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

I went into reading Diary of a Young Girl knowing virtually nothing about the storyline except that it followed a Jewish girl while she was in hiding during World War II. Also I knew that it was incredibly famous and highly popular. So I guess I might say I was let down a little. Not to say I didn't enjoy it and think it was a good book, but in my opinion it is way over hyped. 

Here's the synopsis from Goodreads: Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has since become a world classic—a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit.In 1942, with Nazis occupying Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the "Secret Annexe" of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.

It's kind of hard to explain my contentions with this book but I'll try my best. First off, the whole time I was reading it I felt just a little awkward. It is a diary, I understand, but I guess it is almost just too personal for me. In all actuality, I'm a little surprised her father had it published. The parts I found especially awkward and even unnecessary were her thoughts on sexuality and especially her conversations with Peter, the young man she liked, about sexuality. I'm still just really shocked she talked about stuff like that to him.
Another aspect I disliked about the book was how cruel she was to her mother, and at times other members of her family. We have a very one sided view of what happened but Anne justifies her dislike, pretty much hatred, of her mother over and over again, which I find sad and disturbing. While, no, I don't always agree with what her mother say or does, I cannot imagine justifying Anne's feelings. It seems that we are suppose to make an allowance for Anne many times because she is in a stressful situation but I believe only so much allowance can be made.
What I did like about the book was the perspective of what families who were in hiding had to go through. I found that so fascinating to see them living day to day, making things work that seemed impossible.
Would I call this book inspiring? Maybe. Would I call it historically interesting? Yes. Would I recommend it? Sure. But read it discerningly, not giving into the hype surrounding it but looking at it with a more perceptive eye.

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