Info. about the different versions of The Diary of Anne Frank you may be intersted in knowing

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  • September 11, 2011 at 10:39 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    This has been brought up before, but it’s been a while and there was limited information about what version is what; so in order to serve my children best since they have to do a report on it next year, I looked around to see what I could find.

    I didn’t want my son reading about the sexual thought life of a pre-teen girl (well, my dd either for that matter).

    So far, this is what I’ve discovered:

    Otto Frank had about 30% edited out of the original 1947 Dutch language version; sexual thoughts of a girl going through puberty, severely negative comments about her mother and her parent’s relationship, as well as observations and negative comments about the other family.

    An English version was published in 1952 based upon the edited version of 1947. The book remained that way until 1989 with the release of the original, unedited diary in The Diary of Anne Frank: The Critical Edition

    Then in 1991 came Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl – The Definitive Edition w/Susan Massotty as translating the unedited passages in this version.

    Then in 2003 came The Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition; again containing the extra material.

    There have been gov’t. school systems where parents have complained about the Definitive edition being used and the school ahd to go back to the older versions.

    So that’s all I’ve been able to find out. If you want the edited version, you’ll need to seek out versions published prior to 1989 and without Susan Massotty on the cover as translator or any other versions that speak about the editing process. For example, I have a copy published in the 70’s, based on the 1952 english version, interoduced by Eleanor Roosevelt and it has a page in the back informing you that there was editing invovled-so it’s good.

    Hope this helps you make an informed choice for this important piece of history and personal story.

    Rachel

     

    September 12, 2011 at 1:36 am
    simple home
    Member

    Never knew that. Thanks Rachel! Good info.

    September 12, 2011 at 12:26 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    We listened through it this past summer and I just fast forwarded (we were in the car) through all the sexual things.  But I felt like the story was good and that the relationship between parents though could have been skipped were also important to Anne.  I also have some good back ground from school about that time period as we studied Anne and could add to it.

    But yes I would NOT have just let them listen to it alone. NO WAY~ Misty

    September 12, 2011 at 12:50 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    I think it’s worth noting, when addressing the negativity of her remarks about her mother in particular, that provides a lesson for young people.

    Her mother gave her life for her dds. When in the camp, she starved to death because she gave all her food to the girls through a secret hole. It’s the commitment of a mother to her children despite the rough relationship and it’s a good lesson to the child of that commitment when they start acting ugly to reconsider their behavior.

    Did Anne ever have a pang of regret for her words and disrespect for her mother after they were sent to the labor camp? Very probable and it’s a lesson for us.

    Rachel

    September 12, 2011 at 4:06 pm
    momto2blessings
    Participant

    Rachel, thanks so much for the info.  My daughter is reading it this year and I had no idea.  Our version has an intro. by Eleanor Roosevelt, and the first page says her father was urged to make the diaries public and did so with an edited version in 1947 (but doesn’t comment on this version).  I’m assuming this is o.k.  Thanks!  Gina

    September 13, 2011 at 4:11 am
    Wings2fly
    Participant

    Great info. to know. Thanks. I’ll be looking for an older, edited version for our home library.

    September 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm
    JennNC
    Participant

    So there is nothing sexual in the before-1989 version? That book is on my 14 ds book list for the year and I am so glad you brought this topic up!

    September 14, 2011 at 11:27 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    Jenn,

    I’m reading it right now. I’m not really concerned w/the edited version. My synagogue has every bar and bat mitzvah child read it in their 2nd year (ages 11 (girls) and 12 (boys) roughly); I’ve just never read it and wanted to. The Teacher has never had a complaint in his two decades of teaching.

     I can keep notes on those more private remarks and pm you when I’m finished, if you like; I wouldn’t mind; that way you’ll know or you can read it before he does. It’s not long and such an important, insightful piece of primary source material

    So far, the only thing Ive come across is one sentence about her interest in getting her period as it seems “so important”, something girls generally feel like at that age. She does develop a sweet relationship (in her loneliness) with the boy, Peter, in the second year of hiding that results in a first kiss, but that’s all.

    Otto Frank had statements omitted about her intimate body parts that she was remarking on while going through puberty and I think more detailed thoughts about Peter, just things Mr. Frank thought it would be best to keep private (which I heartily agree).

    HTH and let me know if you want me to pm you when I’m finished

    Rachel

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