Just the Facts: Book Discussion Recap from February 23

The evening was clear and warm, perhaps a harbinger of things to come. Many thanks to the ten people who had no elements to brave, but still came to the book discussion. Their presence, as always, was much
appreciated.

The book discussed last night was The Hare with Amber Eyes: a family’s century of art and loss by Edmund de Waal. Mr. de Waal is a well known ceramacist whose works have been displayed in galleries and museums around the world. He is also a direct descendent of the wealthy Russian-Jewish Ephrussi family. The family made their wealth in Odessa selling grain in the 19th century and then, as was the custom, sent their sons to establish branches of the business in other European cities. One of these sons, Charles, went to Paris and became an important art critic and dealer, befriending many Impressionist artists including Renoir, Manet and Cezanne. He also bought a collection of Japanese netsuke, small, elaborately carved ornaments made of ivory or wood. They are the size of small plums and can be whimsical, religious, playful or even erotic. World War I split the family and World War II destroyed it, but the netsuke survived, traveling from Japan to Paris to Vienna, back to Japan and, presently, to the author’s home in London. Mr. de Waal tells the story of his family’s history by tracing the route of the netsuke from family member to family member. The book is about family history, art and memory and we discussed these as well as the value of things, anti-semitism, the importance of touch, family artifacts, the appeal of antiques and much more. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Our next meeting will be on March 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm. The book to be discussed, Paper: paging through history by Mark Kurlansky, is available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome.