It's Me, Anna

by Elbie Lötter

She called herself Silent Anna because she couldn't tell anyone what happened between her and her stepfather. Now, many years later, she breaks the silence to reveal the sexual abuse she suffered, its impact on her life and how she has finally managed to overcome it. It's me, Anna is based on a true story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Contemporary, Dark, Biography, Mystery, Memoir, Africa

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dis ek, Anna
Is a book that twisted me like a dirty dishcloth. Left me out to dry. Made me feel like a tuning fork that has never been pitch perfect. It acted like a magnet. Pulling me towards it only to change polarity and force me away.

Is the writing good? No. Its brilliant. You are with this girl every step of every way. You are with her, watching as Danie starts to prime her at only ten.

You look down the hall to warn her when she needs to sneak out her wet bedding. When she meets Marnus you fall in love with him ten seconds before she does.

Yes. I am late to the party. 12 years late but this book is ageless. It is horrible, it is stunning. It is served with no sides of nice and with a distinct lack of woe-me all at once.

This book, this review. Is not for you dear reader. The book is for everybody. This review is for me. I finished this book last night and talked to EVERYBODY about the book the entire day. To the point where I got annoyed with myself. I have never ever hated anybody the way I hate Anna's mom. I am glad Anna loves her. I hate her.
I am writing this review to close this chapter. To still Anna's voice in my head. I do not bank on it working but I need to get over Anna, over even Little Danie who in his own way broke my heart.

I hope when I push publish I will be done with this. I doubt it. I think Anna came to change my life.

http://www.amazon.com/Dis-ek-Anna-1-A...

[Nightinkgale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A extremely emotional book. When i dropped the book after reading the last sentence there was a box of tissues next to me. I had to use it a few times while reading this book.

It's a terrible story and even more terrible because its base on a true one. It is a heart rending book and your heart bleeds for the poor girl who had to suffer through so many misery only having a ... there is not a bad enough word... father and a ghost of a mother. She had to grow up when she was only a toddler and had to suffer her entire childhood. Its a very good written book and your sucked in from the first word to the last full stop.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most heat breaking story I’ve read. So real, raw, vulnerable and honest. Each chapter left me horrified, broken, disappointed and disgusted. Cried my way through this book. So many themes of hard themes of relationships/friendship, eating disorders, depression, suicide, sexual and physical assault, suppression, guilt. The lack of help from the church was frustrating but the Afterword showing the healing that can come from God. We are called to love others and not shut them out when they need us the most.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very deep and emotional book. There is not one moment you will dare to smile or laugh. Personally, when I had finished the book, my pillow was drenched.

I got very worked up while reading this book because it is all being seen through the eyes of an innocent, young child. You grow up with the character (Anna) and start to feel everything she feels. This book is not for the faint hearted. When starting this book, be prepared for the onslaught of emotions that WILL overwhelm you.

All in all, I found this book deeply moving and would highly recommend it.

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was disturbing to read about her experience and the fact that her mother refused to believe her daughter and prefered to believe him. How can a mother that are suppose to love and protect you not see and listen to what is happening to her child . To desert your child and never look back. Then I close my eyes and thank. God. that all through my life my mother is there to keep me safe and loved

[Jo Durrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was 15 and it still stuck with me till this day, (I am now 29) , word for word…

Dis ek, Anna is one of the most powerful and heartbreaking books I’ve ever read. Elbie Lötter’s courage in sharing Anna’s story of abuse and survival is truly remarkable. The book takes you on an emotional journey through Anna’s childhood, where she is subjected to years of sexual abuse by her stepfather, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness she experiences as she tries to navigate a world that doesn’t believe her.

What struck me most about this book is its brutal honesty. The way Lötter describes Anna’s inner turmoil, the isolation, and the devastating impact of her mother’s disbelief is gut-wrenching. The trauma Anna carries is so palpable that it’s impossible not to feel for her. And yet, despite the horror, there is an incredible sense of resilience that shines through.

The themes of silence and breaking free from the chains of abuse are so poignant. Anna’s journey to find her voice and reclaim her life is inspiring. The book doesn’t sugarcoat the complexities of trauma or recovery, but it offers a raw, real depiction of the struggle to overcome it.

It’s not an easy read, but it is one that stays with you long after you’ve finished it. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the devastating impact of abuse and the long road to healing. Dis ek, Anna is not just a story about pain—it’s a story about strength, survival, and ultimately, reclaiming one’s power.

[BookwormLove · Rating 3 out of 5]

If we put aside the poor writing (afrikaans accents etc), didnt bother me at all, and the fact that its brutally honest at times, if you can stomach it - read it! brilliant book..so heartbreaking & I found myself crying often with this book. Some parts had me sick to my stomach litrally...but otherwise its one of those heartwrenching true story that will stay with me forever.

[Sonja Arlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a purely literary point of view this book was not the best I have ever read. The writing was almost raw and unvarnished and that is probably what the author was going for. The content however was gripping if very difficult to read. It’s recommended with caution.

[kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's been a while since a book made me cry like this one did. beautifully written and really one of the best afrikaans books i've ever read.

[kate peterkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing and heartbreaking but genuinely the best afrikaans book I have ever read. I could not imagine a more fitting or better written ending.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no reason for me to give this book anything less than five stars. Despite the shocking content matter of this story, Anna’s voice, shining through the simplistic writing, made it even more heartbreakingly sad. I simply have no words for what she and her baby stepsister had to endure night after night under the depraved fantasies and horrid abuse by Anna’s stepfather. It brings to light that sexual and physical abuse is rampant in all walks of life, and more should be done to listen to and assist its victims.

This was by far not an easy read, but once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I found it incredibly sad and appalling that Anna’s mother didn’t believe her or her little sister. She always, and without fail, took the side of her husband. Sadly, I’ve heard of many instances where the wife would take the side of her husband, instead of defending and protecting those she chose to bring into this world. In my mind, the mother is as guilty for not wanting to know; not wanting to believe it is being done to her daughters, as the man is of doing it to two little girls he was supposed to love and protect. If you haven’t read this yet, please do. It will make you angry and break your heart, but I think it is important that we should all be aware of what the most upstanding citizens of our communities; pastors in our churches, and well-respected authority figures are capable of doing behind closed doors. It’s tragic.

[Anastassia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sad story, but you almost get a sense of "thata girl" realising that she's gone the extra mile to actually write it all down. The ending was a bit neglected, but all in all, a very good read.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in 2007.

This book was originally written in Afrikaans, and has been translated by Marianne Thamm.
It's a horrifying account of a little girl being sexually abused by her step-father.
This book will break your heart and make you very, very angry.

[Graatjie · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCELLENT

[Kissed By · Rating 5 out of 5]

ek is mal ood hierdie boek ! het dit selfs twee keer gelees !
elke traan wat gestort is was die moeite werd !

[Tayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the English version, it's a true story about a girl whose step dad molests her. Really depressing but so good.

[Rea Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uitstekende outobiografie!

[Celia]

You will need tissues

[Natasha Van der Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very sad and disturbing!

[Mpho Kubjane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very painful to read,I cried a couple of times-I sure hopes she killed him in the end,Because I would have

[Marize De Klerk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ongelooflik, stomgeslaan, het nie woorde nie goeie boek

[Marthea Bothma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating ,but very emotional.

You cry and get angry all the time ,couldn't put it down!

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I hated the fact that I couldn't put the book down. I cried through every chapter with Anna. Finished the book in one night.

[Lady Frostine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, very sad story, but I'm not a big fan of the writing style. There is definitely room for improvement. I hope people take sexual abuse more seriously, especially among children.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 1ste boek wat ek kon klaar lees. Baie goed geskryf!

[Silke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often talk about reading as the power to live and understand realities different from your own. To grow empathy and understanding and broaden your thinking.

Well, "It's me, Anna" did all of that. It broke me and built me into someone different, better, open. Despite the shocking content, her voice shines through in the simplistic writing style. The author's ability to lay this story out with empathy, honesty and empowerment deserves a lot of credit.

Writing aside, I learned about abuse, I lived a glimpse of what some children go through behind closed doors and I saw the power outsiders can have on changing someone's life. I will never again turn a blind eye when signals are there that someone might be abused, bullied or hurt. "None of your business" will never again be reason enough not to help, and when I'm ever in a position where someone reaches out, I will listen first, believe them and then ask how I can help.

It breaks my heart that 1 in every 3 school children get sexually abused every single day. Abused by adults they should feel safe with. Fear of judgement and parents not believing the story being main factors of them not talking. As humans, it is our responsibility to live outside our own bubbles, be aware of your fellow humans and ask how they are with the intent to listen...you might save someone's life.

Heartbreaking. Everyone should read this.

[Kimberly Uys · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dis ek, Anna” is ń boek wat vroeg belangstelling in my opgeprikkel het. Die dag wat ek op die boek afgekom het, het ek geen idee gehad oor wat hierdie boek gaan nie. Vir my was dit net nog ń boek wat stof optel in die boekrak.
Die verhaal van Anna Bruwer gee vir ons, as lesers, baie verskillende onvoorspelbare emosies. Die verhaal begin op ń ligte nood en, stadig maar seker, ontwikkel dit in ń donker, realistiese werklikheid.
Hierdie boek het sulke enorme impak op my lewe gehad. Dit gee vir my meer insig oor wat agter die deure van duisende huise gebeur, terwyl baie nie bewus hiervan is nie. Ek glo dat iemand wat hierdie bundel lees (en al hierdeur gegaan het) motiveerd sal word om te praat oor hulle eie ervarings.
“Dis ek, Anna” is dus nie vir iemand wat sensitief is oor die saak van seksuele molestering en verkragting nie, maar ék beveel hierdie boek aan!
Definitief ń vyf-ster boek!

[Sanet Rheeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most emotionally challenging books I've read... the story is extremely emotional and the telling of the story of Anna is brilliantly penned down by Elbie.

I am not a cryer by any stretch of the imagination... but this beautifully written book, the extremely disturbing truth of many young girl's lives, and the fact that many women never have the voice to make their predators pay - this book had me in tears numerous times... but it was like therapy - you know that a good cry clears the soul... this book is a MUST read...

The writer captured the emotion perfectly and portrayed Anna in the most beautiful and respectful way possible. Love this book.

[Nadia Tholix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I would recommend this book to anyone. It just makes you realize how important it is for your children to know they can trust you and they can come to you with anything. It is very important that we take the time and educate our kids about these things. I have two small little girls. This would be my worst nightmare if something like this would happen to them.

[Palesa Ntsiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was delicate and empowering, i immediately connected with Anna, she told the story in a delicate manner but not in a depressing petty kind. issues like this are heavy but this one was written in a light manner, not making the issue light but easy to read. i loved this book and i hope there is a second book about Anna.