Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation

Astonishing and excruciating. It gnaws at us still

New York Times Book Review

A modern classic

The Times

Rings down the decades as the most moving testament to the persecution of innocence

Daily Mail

One of the greatest books of the [last] century

Guardian

Of all the multitudes who throughout history have spoken for human dignity in times of great suffering and loss, no voice is more compelling than that of Anne Frank

John F. Kennedy

Mesmerizing... Polonsky creates unforgettable panels that enable us to see Anne Frank's writing in a fresh light

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany)

A remarkable reading and visual experience

Frankfurter Neue Presse (Germany)

A masterpiece

Il Mattino (Italy)

Folman and Polonsky . . . focus on illuminating its humor, insight, and supporting cast in this spirited graphic adaption . . . Anne, drawn with large dark eyes, blooms like the hardiest, loveliest weed-a moody teenager whose wit, self-awareness, and rich fantasy life take center stage . . . The beauty of Anne's life and the untarnished power of her legacy-here further elevated by Folman and Polonsky-are heartening reminders of the horror of her fate.

Publishers Weekly

Evocatively crafted, this comic brings Frank's world to life for all ages but takes care to respect and prioritize the primacy of her story in her own words.

Library Journal

'Even deep sleep brings no redemption,' she writes. 'The dreams still creep in.' Those dreams bring out the best of the illustrations amid the depictions of the everyday confinement in which Anne, her family, and others are hiding. A different format distills and renews Frank's achievement.

Kirkus Reviews

Emphasizes the visual nature of Frank's text . . . Bring[s] renewed vigor . . . Powerful . . . points us to the very gap, between what we, her readers, can imagine for her of her missed future, and what she would never have the opportunity to live through.

Women’s Review of Books

Faithful to the spirit and often the language of the diary, with passages that capture Anne's sharp sense of humour, as well as her frustrations with her mother, her agitation with her sister (with whom she feels unfavourably compared), her sexual curiosity, fleeting infatuations, dark moods, mortal fears and internal conflicts... Mr Polonsky's beautiful artwork offers a charming and convincing view of Anne on the page

Economist

The graphic adaptation gorgeously captures the confessional spirit of the original diary with artistic expressions of Anne's inner world. The book illustrates and expands on Anne's dreams and imaginings, and one can almost believe that these are pictures Anne herself might have drawn as she was turning things over in her mind.

Bookriot

Folman and Polonsky have reclaimed Anne Frank in all of her humanity, and they allow us to witness for ourselves her beauty, courage, vision and imagination, all of the qualities that make her life and early death so heartbreaking. And, in doing so, they have elevated the tools of the comic book to create an astonishing work of art.

Jewish Journal

Folman and Polonsky's adaptation brings poignant comedy and a touch of the surreal to its portrait of the eight inhabitants of the annexe

The Telegraph

Remarkable

Herald

Elegantly drawn

Jewish Chronicle

In producing this first ever graphic adaptation of the diary Ari Folman and David Polonsky continue Anne's work, doing a great service to younger and future generations by helping to keep the story of Anne Frank as fresh, compelling and vital as it ever was.

The New European

The adaptation by Ari Folman is refreshing, well researched and innovative. The art by David Polonsky is stunning, vivid, and rich. Altogether, it's a graphic novel that is more than essential reading

Graphic Policy

The illustrations in Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Novel have... [a] polished, often luminous effect.

The Times

Impressive. . . In an afterword, Ari Folman discusses some of the challenges of "editing" such an "iconic text." Their goal, he says, was "to honor and preserve the spirit of Anne Frank in each and every frame." This they have done to engaging effect.

Strong Words