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Three Dreams of Anne Frank
Three Dreams of Anne Frank is a fantasy, an allegorical story involving three fictional dreams Anne has on the night of May 11, 1944 which express the anguish and bravery she must endure from nightly air raids, break-ins to the building where she is hidden, and possible capture. It combines reality and fairy tale elements in Kafkaesque fashion to explore both Anne's frame of mind and the torment that can become the human condition.
48 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 4, 2016
I usually don't enjoy short stories. I find it difficult to relate to characters in such a short amount of time.
This was going to be four stars and then I read the last page.
I love Anna. She is so brave and self-sacrificing in this dark story. But there is no happy ending in "Three Dreams of Anne Frank" and I can't wait to read other stories and books from Rod Starcke.
This was going to be four stars and then I read the last page.
I love Anna. She is so brave and self-sacrificing in this dark story. But there is no happy ending in "Three Dreams of Anne Frank" and I can't wait to read other stories and books from Rod Starcke.
April 28, 2016
If you've read Rod Starcke's "Dark Roses for the Grave of Andersen," you have already glimpsed his ability to artfully craft fairy tales that are haunting, beautiful, and impactful. With this short story, Starcke is able to bring to life a concise but highly thoughtful work surrounding a very well known character. As a reader, its very easy to instantly connect with the MC because we all know the tale of Anne Frank.
Anne is dealing with a new life forced upon her and her family: Her faith and family are persecuted, they're living in secret, there are nightly air raids dropping bombs around them, and they are unable to set foot outside under the sunlight for fear of discovery. Trying to find a smidgen of normalcy, Anne attempts to craft an uplifting fairy tale for her father's birthday. As she struggles with this task, her frustration takes hold of her in dreams and incites strange and wonder-filled dreamscapes. Each dream builds upon the next and hints at what her name will mean to future generations of children. It will carry sadness but also hope. So too do her dreams carry these themes.
Each dream holds a different aspect of Anne's life in its hand and turns it on its head. What can she change about her world despite the confined circumstances she lives within? What does she value most of all? What are her goals? Can she fix mistakes made? In each dream, Anne is willing to sacrifice herself for her friends despite the menacing evil that attacks her. Along these lines, too, what do we as readers take for granted with the freedoms we currently live with?
Frightening yet beautiful at the same time, these stories stay with you long after finishing the book. I look forward to re-reading this and finding new meanings layered masterfully in Starcke's careful word play.
Let yourself discover a new landscape of dreams...
Anne is dealing with a new life forced upon her and her family: Her faith and family are persecuted, they're living in secret, there are nightly air raids dropping bombs around them, and they are unable to set foot outside under the sunlight for fear of discovery. Trying to find a smidgen of normalcy, Anne attempts to craft an uplifting fairy tale for her father's birthday. As she struggles with this task, her frustration takes hold of her in dreams and incites strange and wonder-filled dreamscapes. Each dream builds upon the next and hints at what her name will mean to future generations of children. It will carry sadness but also hope. So too do her dreams carry these themes.
Each dream holds a different aspect of Anne's life in its hand and turns it on its head. What can she change about her world despite the confined circumstances she lives within? What does she value most of all? What are her goals? Can she fix mistakes made? In each dream, Anne is willing to sacrifice herself for her friends despite the menacing evil that attacks her. Along these lines, too, what do we as readers take for granted with the freedoms we currently live with?
Frightening yet beautiful at the same time, these stories stay with you long after finishing the book. I look forward to re-reading this and finding new meanings layered masterfully in Starcke's careful word play.
Let yourself discover a new landscape of dreams...
October 2, 2015
Really 1.5.
I liked the idea of the story at the start. It's an interesting concept, and it's whimsical and dark at times. I love the idea of trying to explain the feelings of Anne during wartime through her dreams. So much potential for a really interesting take on how times of war can affect the subconscious.
However, I just wish it was easier to follow. I found it hard to keep with the story from start to finish. I think a little more description would help the story to flow better. If changes were ever made to it, I would love to read it again and give it another chance.
I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review from novelreviewers.com.
I liked the idea of the story at the start. It's an interesting concept, and it's whimsical and dark at times. I love the idea of trying to explain the feelings of Anne during wartime through her dreams. So much potential for a really interesting take on how times of war can affect the subconscious.
However, I just wish it was easier to follow. I found it hard to keep with the story from start to finish. I think a little more description would help the story to flow better. If changes were ever made to it, I would love to read it again and give it another chance.
I was given a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review from novelreviewers.com.
July 27, 2016
Three Dreams of Anne Frank is not a light read. Despite - or perhaps because - it almost reads like a story for children at first glance, it feels eerie and ghostly, pulling you, with startling ease, right into the depths of helpless horror of Anne's life in hiding during the German occupation. And yet, just as surprisingly, you find out that there are choices even in hopeless situations, strengths in unlikely heroes, beauty in coldest corners.
Creepy, sweet, lovely - highly recommended.
Creepy, sweet, lovely - highly recommended.
October 4, 2015
I received a free ecopy of this book from novelreviewers.com
Dreams are not a pleasant escape for Anne. This short story is disjointed and choppy, but the idea is interesting. The first dream was the most exciting and disturbing, which made getting through the other two a struggle. I think that this could become something great, but it is vastly unpolished in its current state.
Dreams are not a pleasant escape for Anne. This short story is disjointed and choppy, but the idea is interesting. The first dream was the most exciting and disturbing, which made getting through the other two a struggle. I think that this could become something great, but it is vastly unpolished in its current state.
July 19, 2016
Starcke tells three short dreams of Anne Frank which explores what her mental state might have been like just prior to her capture.
Slightly disappointed although I was not sure what I was expecting.
I intend reading this again and will alter my rating if I become more enlightened.
Slightly disappointed although I was not sure what I was expecting.
I intend reading this again and will alter my rating if I become more enlightened.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews