In Barry Denenberg's book Shadow Life, the life of Anne Frank and her family is highlighted. The book is separated into four parts, Part one is titled "Living", and it is in Narrative form. The life of the Franks before the war is told like a story. The everyday details of sisters Anne and Margot Frank's lives are explored. Part two is "Hiding". This portion of the story is a series of fictional diary entries by Margot Frank. Margot illuminates the terrors of the shadow life the Franks lived up to the part where they get found by the Nazis. Part three, "Dying" is in constructed in an oral history of the survivors of Aushwitz, Bergen- Belsen, and Westerbork. It tells the story of the Franks last seven months of life, right up to the very end. Finally,"Surviving" Part four is the memories of those who survived the terrible holocaust, and a conclusion to the horrific story of the Frank family.
In my opinion, Shadow Life wasn't a page turner. The format of the book was hard to follow, and it ruined the flow of the book each time the "part" ended. The book was very informational, but for leisure reading, I wouldn't suggest it. The portion of the book told by Margot Frank seemed very fictional and unrealistic. On a scale of one to ten, I'd give this book a 5.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Alexandria , VA USA
