PDF Summary:The Hare with Amber Eyes, by Edmund de Waal

The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal traces the history of the renowned Ephrussi family and their prized collection of Japanese netsuke carvings. As the family's wealth and prominence grew in Europe, their treasures became symbols of their identity and legacy. But their status and possessions were ruthlessly stripped away during the upheaval of World War II.

The author embarks on a personal journey to uncover his family's past, piecing together fragments from archives and documents. In this compelling narrative, de Waal explores how objects like the netsuke can endure as powerful links to history and helps preserve a once-scattered cultural inheritance across generations.

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The harrowing personal experiences of individual family members during this period

The author masterfully interweaves significant historical events with the personal narratives of the Ephrussi family members, capturing an era marked by deep loss. Viktor's life was suddenly upended, stripping him of his wealth, his inherited valuables, and his cherished library of books. We witness Emmy's turmoil as her residence, once a sanctuary adorned with valued belongings and memories, is violated and plundered, her offspring moving from innocence to a time characterized by the looming threats of conflict and turmoil. The author skillfully intertwines personal anecdotes with detailed historical investigation, creating a narrative that deeply conveys the personal effects of a challenging historical period.

The relatives faced significant challenges while fleeing Europe and encountered many hurdles in their efforts to rebuild their lives on foreign soil.

Efforts to reclaim lost family possessions frequently concluded without success.

The wave of anti-Semitic sentiment across Europe resulted in deep personal tragedies, exemplified by the Ephrussi family's compelled exodus from their homeland, Austria. Edmund de Waal thoroughly chronicles their desperate attempts to escape Vienna, describing in detail the intricate web of bureaucratic challenges they faced in securing visas, permits, and safe passage. Their journey led them from Vienna to Kövecses, then to Switzerland, before finally reaching England and America, highlighting the disquieting experience of exile marked by property loss, constant insecurity, and persistent fear. The author depicts the complex task of piecing together an existence in strange environs, grappling with the loss of linguistic and cultural bearings, and managing the sense of being out of place, all the while contending with the persistent reverberations of a fragmented past.

The narrative becomes richer as it explores the author's portrayal of Elisabeth's efforts to recover the possessions and heirlooms her family lost after the war. He illuminates the intricate bureaucratic strategies employed by the emerging Austrian authorities to shirk responsibility for the restitution and recovery of property, thereby uncovering the disconcerting realities of a society hesitant to admit its participation in the plundering. Despite a prolonged period of dedicated effort and legal maneuvering, Elisabeth faced many challenges and deadlocks. Even when she recovered possessions like the Gobelins tapestries, selling these items was essential to finance their fresh start. The profound and lasting trauma experienced goes beyond mere financial implications, rooted in the obliteration of their historical identity and the deprivation of their belongings.

The significance of acquiring art, maintaining familial heritage, and conveying memories in forming one's identity.

The Ephrussi family showcased their remarkable array of art and historical artifacts to affirm their social standing and communicate the significance of their heritage.

The family's opulent homes and lavish adornments were further distinguished by their esteemed compilation of artworks, which held significant symbolic value.

Edmund de Waal meticulously documents the Ephrussi family's passion for the arts, which goes beyond simply showcasing their wealth and status; it reflects their deep desire to be included and accepted in society. In Paris and Vienna, they embellished their lavish homes with an array of classical paintings, furnishings from the Italian Renaissance, and pioneering works of the Impressionist movement, creating a space that mirrored their refined tastes and status, intentionally surpassing their mercantile origins. The selection of materials, the arrangement of objects and furniture, and the traditions surrounding the display and conversation about these items reveal their deep desire to assimilate and their intense yearning to be accepted and included.

The author, de Waal, observes that portraying the heritage of his forebears through art was laden with intricacies. The family grappled with the fear of 'le goût Rothschild', the perceived extravagance linked to Jewish collecting, which manifested in their discomfort with the allure of Gustave Moreau's luminous works, and their inclination towards classicizing styles over the enticing allure of art influenced by Japanese aesthetics. He also emphasizes the instability of relying on material wealth for social standing, a vulnerability that is starkly revealed as hostility towards Jews intensifies.

The methods by which the family's scattered collections aided in safeguarding their cultural legacy and identity through successive generations.

The relatives held deep and emotional connections to their cherished possessions.

Edmund de Waal highlights how artifacts persist in preserving and transmitting family memories through time, illustrated by the Ephrussi family's collections that were once dispersed but have since been brought back together. This is where the seemingly mundane objects, the 264 netsuke, take on a special resonance, surviving through their inherent value as collectables, their smallness, and the unwavering commitment – bordering on obsession – due to the steadfast loyalty and care provided by the family's housekeeper, Anna. Throughout the generations, the netsuke accrued meaning, evolving from a symbol of sophisticated artistry in Paris's graceful age to a beloved toy for children during the interwar years in Vienna. Handling, rearranging, and describing objects creates a tangible link to history.

Objects of daily use, like the small carved toggles known as netsuke, can hold significant value and serve as a link to historical events.

The author highlights how objects can encapsulate memories, forge identities, and convey meanings through generations. Our deep bonds frequently stem from the mundane aspects of our lives, such as the feel of an ivory carving, the dim signature's pigment, or a family photo tucked away in a book's leaves. Though they may seem unassuming compared to the grandeur of the Palais Ephrussi or the sophisticated soirees hosted by Charles in Paris, the netsuke serve as a potent symbol of persistent fortitude, their intricate artistry and physical presence embodying the lasting power of memory and the constant desire to preserve connections amidst the fluctuations of history.

The author embarks on a personal journey to forge a connection with and comprehend the heritage of his forebears.

The author spent many years meticulously piecing together the narrative of the Ephrussi family and their collection of netsuke.

The detective work involved in piecing together fragmentary information from archives, documents, and personal accounts

The author skillfully weaves the narrative, transforming it into a quest that reveals his ancestors' history and simultaneously depicts a deeply personal endeavor to comprehend the substance of a legacy abundant with tangible and intangible riches. In Tokyo, he encountered the netsuke, igniting a profound fascination that led him to explore their historical significance. The author's journey of discovery takes him through the artistic quarters of Paris, the storied archives of Vienna, and finally to Odessa, where the saga of the Ephrussi family began, as he scrutinizes aged ledgers, faded photographs, and meticulous lists created by the Gestapo. The meticulous reassembly of this scattered story—through the examination of letters, diaries, and unexpected meetings, which brings to life the existence and escapades of his ancestors—underscores the difficulties inherent in historical investigation and the crucial role of creativity in reviving history.

The narrative delves into the deepening and crucial connection the author develops with his Ephrussi legacy.

The author reflects on the intricate responsibilities involved in preserving and conveying family legacy.

Edmund de Waal explores the complex legacy of the Ephrussi family, grappling with the deep bond and its significant influence on his own life. He wrestles with the task of shaping their stories, dealing with the intricate feelings of longing for the past, and his increasing awareness of his distinct position as both a contributor to and chronicler of the story, highlighting the challenges of biographical endeavors and the delicate responsibility to protect his family's legacy. The writer conveys the Ephrussi family's history with heartfelt engagement and embarks on a path of self-discovery.