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The Hare with Amber Eyes
354 pages, 2011
Edmund de Waal is a world-famous ceramicist. Having spent thirty years making beautiful pots―which are then sold, collected, and handed on―he has a particular sense of the secret lives of objects.
When he inherited a collection of 264 tiny Japanese wood and ivory carvings called netsuke, he wanted to know who had touched and held them and how the collection had managed to survive.
And so begins this extraordinarily moving memoir and detective story as de Waal discovers both the story of the netsuke and of his family, the Ephrussis, over five generations. A nineteenth-century banking dynasty in Paris and Vienna, the Ephrussis were as rich and respected as the Rothchilds.
Yet by the end of World War II, when the netsuke was hidden from the Nazis in Vienna, this collection of very small carvings was all that remained of their vast empire.
In The Hare with Amber Eyes, Edmund de Waal explores the power of objects to tell stories. He traces the journey of a collection of 264 tiny Japanese netsuke, revealing how they hold the history of his family. It's a reminder to look at the things we own and see the stories they might be hiding.
The book is a deep dive into de Waal's own family history. He uncovers the story of the Ephrussi family, a wealthy Jewish banking dynasty that was almost destroyed by the Nazis. It's a reminder to dig into our own family histories and see what stories we might find.
The Hare with Amber Eyes shows the devastating impact of war on individuals and families. De Waal's family lost their wealth and status during World War II, and their story is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict.
Edmund de Waal uses the netsuke to explore the world of art and culture. He takes us on a journey from Paris to Vienna, from Tokyo to London, showing how art can connect us to different cultures and times. It's a great book for anyone interested in art history.
The book is a testament to the importance of memory. De Waal's research into his family history and the journey of the netsuke is a way of keeping the past alive. It's a reminder to us all to cherish our memories and the stories they tell.
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The Hare with Amber Eyes is a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. It's a family saga, a history lesson, and a work of art all in one.
Julian Barnes - Novelist, Booker PrizeEdmund de Waal's book is a masterpiece. It's a story of survival, of the endurance of a family, and the lasting power of art.
A.S. Byatt - Novelist, PoetThe Hare with Amber Eyes is a remarkable book. It's a journey through history, through art, and through one family's incredible story.
John Carey - Literary CriticRecommendations
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