If you enjoy reading novels by Anne Frank then you might also like the following authors:
Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor and writer who shared his experiences through powerful works of literature. His book “Night” recounts his time as a young boy facing unimaginable horrors in Nazi concentration camps.
The story begins with his life in a small village, where he lived with his family and pursued a deep interest in his faith. As the war unfolds, he is torn from his home and sent to Auschwitz with his father.
The book details his struggles with hunger, loss, and the erosion of his faith during his fight to survive. It’s a deeply personal account that sheds light on the human cost of the Holocaust.
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped hide Jewish people during the Holocaust. Her book, “The Hiding Place,” tells her story of courage and faith during one of history’s darkest times.
It begins with her quiet life in Haarlem, where she lived above their family watch shop, and moves into the harrowing events of World War II when her family risked everything to protect those in danger.
The book takes you through the moments when their secret work was discovered, leading to Corrie’s arrest and imprisonment in Ravensbrück concentration camp. It’s a powerful story about kindness, resilience, and unwavering belief in humanity.
Viktor E. Frankl was a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who wrote about human resilience and the search for meaning in life. His book “Man’s Search for Meaning” is a powerful memoir where he reflects on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps.
He shares how he and others found ways to survive mentally and emotionally by focusing on a sense of purpose. Frankl describes moments of hope, like when he imagined seeing his wife again, and how small acts of kindness brought light to the darkest circumstances.
The book also explores his ideas on finding meaning, even in suffering.
Primo Levi was an Italian writer and Holocaust survivor who shared his firsthand experiences through his work. His book, “If This Is a Man,” recounts his time as a prisoner in Auschwitz.
Levi describes the brutal conditions of the camp and the fight to hold onto humanity in the face of dehumanization. One moment that stands out is when he reflects on small acts of kindness between prisoners, showing how even the smallest gestures could mean survival.
Levi’s writing captures the raw reality of life during the Holocaust. His perspective is personal and deeply moving, making it unforgettable.
Hannah Arendt was a political thinker and writer who explored big questions about humanity, power, and society. Her book, “Eichmann in Jerusalem,” examines the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi official involved in organizing the Holocaust.
Arendt describes how Eichmann’s actions stemmed not from monstrous hatred but from ordinary obedience and thoughtlessness. She introduces the idea of the “banality of evil,” which shows how everyday people can commit horrific acts when they stop questioning what they are doing.
The book gives readers a chilling look at history through courtroom exchanges and personal accounts.
Zlata Filipović is a writer who gained attention for her diary “Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo.” The book shares her experiences as a young girl living through the horrors of the Bosnian War in the early 1990s.
Written between the ages of 11 and 13, her diary captures her thoughts and feelings as her once happy childhood is torn apart by violence and conflict.
She describes the loss of friends, the fear of bombings, and the struggle of trying to find normal moments during a time of chaos. It’s heartfelt and powerful, with the voice of a child who sees the world changing around her.
Similar to Anne Frank’s diary, Zlata’s words give an honest and personal view of the impact of war through the eyes of someone young.
Tadeusz Borowski was a Polish writer and Holocaust survivor. His book, “This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen,” is a collection of stories based on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps. The writing doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of life in the camps.
In the title story, the narrator is tasked with unloading trains filled with prisoners, facing the moral and emotional toll of a daily routine that involves life and death decisions.
Borowski’s honest and direct style creates a chilling look at the dehumanizing machinery of the Holocaust.
Etty Hillesum was a young Jewish woman who lived in the Netherlands during World War II. Her book, “An Interrupted Life,” is a collection of her diaries and letters written between 1941 and 1943.
Etty described life under Nazi occupation and her personal struggles with faith, love, and resilience. She wrote honestly about her inner thoughts as she witnessed the growing persecution around her.
Even when her circumstances became dire, she continued to find meaning and beauty in the world. Her words offer a powerful and deeply human perspective on a dark time in history.
Ruth Klüger was an Austrian-born Holocaust survivor and writer who shared her experiences with honesty and clarity. Her memoir, “Still Alive,” offers a deeply personal account of her childhood during the Holocaust, living through ghettos, concentration camps, and the aftermath.
Unlike Anne Frank, whose story ends in tragedy, Klüger reflects on survival and life beyond the war. She describes moments of defiance and resilience, such as refusing to say the prayer for the dead at Auschwitz because she was determined to stay alive.
Her voice is direct and thought-provoking, making her story unforgettable.
Helga Weiss was a young girl who, like Anne Frank, documented her life during the Holocaust. Her book, “Helga’s Diary,” is a firsthand account of her time in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and her imprisonment in concentration camps, including Terezín.
Helga started writing in a school notebook, recording her fears and experiences as a child. Later, she added to her diary after surviving the camps. One striking moment in the book is when she describes drawing scenes of everyday life in Terezín to hold onto her humanity.
Her words and illustrations give a raw and personal glimpse into what she endured.
Charlotte Delbo was a French writer who survived Auschwitz and dedicated much of her work to documenting the horrors of the Holocaust. Her book, “None of Us Will Return,” is a heart-wrenching collection of vignettes based on her experiences in the concentration camp.
The stories reveal moments of unbearable pain, fleeting hope, and human connection in the face of unimaginable cruelty. Delbo captures the voices of those who suffered with her, offering an unflinching look at their lives and fates.
The book doesn’t try to soften the truth—it keeps their memories alive, showing both the darkness they endured and the strength they held onto until the end.
Imre Kertész was a Hungarian author who survived the Holocaust, and his experiences deeply influenced his writing. His novel, “Fatelessness,” follows a teenage boy named György, who is taken from Budapest to a concentration camp.
The story is told through György’s detached and naive perspective, which makes the horrors of his experience even more impactful.
His matter-of-fact observations about daily camp life and his gradual loss of innocence offer an honest and powerful look at survival and identity during unimaginable times.
Olga Lengyel was a survivor of Auschwitz and a witness to the horrors of the Holocaust. Her book, “Five Chimneys,” recounts her experiences in the concentration camp. It’s a brutally honest account of survival, fear, and the resilience of hope.
She shares what life was like inside the camp, from the terrifying arrival process to heartbreaking losses. Through her eyes, readers can see the strength it took to endure and how she managed to hold onto her humanity even in the worst conditions.
Her story is raw and unforgettable, offering a powerful perspective on a dark chapter in history.
Miep Gies was one of the people who helped hide Anne Frank and her family during World War II. Her book, “Anne Frank Remembered,” gives a personal account of those events.
Miep describes how she risked her life to protect the Franks, how she brought them food, and how she kept their spirits up through difficult times. She also shares what it was like to discover Anne’s diary after the family was captured.
The book provides a firsthand perspective on courage and humanity during one of history’s darkest periods.
Heda Margolius Kovály was a Holocaust survivor who later became a writer. Her memoir, “Under a Cruel Star,” tells the story of her life starting during World War II.
She recounts her imprisonment at Auschwitz, her escape during a death march, and her struggles to rebuild her life in Communist Czechoslovakia after the war. The book gives a personal look at her pain, courage, and the challenges of living under two oppressive regimes.
It’s a deeply moving story of survival and resilience that carries a powerful message about humanity.