Thought for the Day

[prosodic]

"Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long as you live, to make you happy again." - Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

I'm in the process of re-reading Anne Frank's diary, prompted by the recent death of Miep Gies. The last time I read it was probably when I was 12 or so. I can't remember specifically. But it was the heavily edited edition. When her diary was first published, there was a lot left out - her thoughts about her mother (which were mostly mean), her musings on sex and puberty (which can be somewhat graphic at times - last night, I read her very detailed description of girly bits).

I have the definitive edition now, which includes all the things previously edited out. It's amazing. There is a whole different dimension to Anne Frank that I didn't know about before. If you read this, knowing nothing about her, you would conclude that she is much older than the 13-15 years of age that she was when she wrote this. It amazes me.

I treasure this book. I mean, I REALLY treasure it. I always thought The Diary of a Young Girl was one of the most important books ever to be published, but I feel so even more strongly now.

Comments

[poppy-seedlings.livejournal.com]

which can be somewhat graphic at times - last night, I read her very detailed description of girly bits

Are you serious? I must have gotten the edited version, too, lol.

[prosodic.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, no joke. I can see why her father had those parts edited out.

Get a copy of the definitive edition. It's fascinating reading.