The Hare with Amber Eyes

by Edmund de Waal
The Hare with Amber Eyes cover
Good Books rating 3.67
History
Technical:
  • ID: 623
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780701184179
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

The Hare with Amber Eyes is a captivating exploration of art, history, and family legacy. Edmund de Waal, a potter, inherits a collection of 264 miniature wood and ivory carvings, known as netsuke, from his great-uncle Iggie. These delicate artifacts, each no larger than a matchbox, become the key to unlocking a story that spans generations and continents. /n/n De Waal's journey to understand the origins and significance of these netsuke leads him through the opulent salons of Paris, the coffeehouses of turn-of-the-century Vienna, and the gardens of Imperial Tokyo. Along the way, he uncovers the profound impact of his family's history, the Ephrussis, a Jewish banking dynasty, and the turbulent events that shaped their fate. This is not just a tale of objects, but a poignant reflection on the fragility of cultural heritage and the enduring power of art.

Reviews
Julia's Books · 2022-07-09
intriguing 3.50

The book is fascinating but feels a bit detached. The narrative becomes more engaging as it delves into the family's decline in the twentieth century.

The reviewer found the book fascinating but felt it lacked emotional depth, describing it as a bit sterile. They appreciated the historical journey, especially as the narrative moved into the twentieth century and the family's decline, which added a layer of poignancy and engagement. The exploration of objects and their significance was intriguing, but the overall delivery could have been more immersive.

Quick quotes

    It is fascinating but a touch sterile for me.

    As the narrative moves into the twentieth century, and the inevitable decline of the dynasty, I ...

    The book is a beautiful exploration of objects and their stories.

Book Snob · 2014-06-11
absorbing 4.50

The book is an absorbing journey through several generations of a remarkable family, leaving the reader feeling enriched.

The reviewer found the book to be an absolutely absorbing journey through the lives of several generations of the author's family. They felt richer for having read it, as the narrative beautifully intertwines personal history with cultural and artistic heritage. The exploration of the family's story, enriched by the significance of the objects, makes it a deeply satisfying read that leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    This is an absolutely absorbing journey through the lives of several generations of de Waal's remarkable family.

    I feel richer for having read it.

    The book beautifully intertwines personal history with cultural and artistic heritage.

The Guardian · Rachel Cooke · 2010-06-05
captivating 3.00

The story of a family heirloom is captivating but misses the broader historical context. The author's belief in the existential significance of objects is well-articulated.

Rachel Cooke appreciates the author's belief in the existential hum of objects but feels the book misses the bigger picture of historical context. She finds the tale of the family heirloom captivating, yet she wishes it delved deeper into the broader historical and cultural implications. The narrative is rich in detail and personal significance, but it sometimes feels like it's just scratching the surface of the larger historical backdrop.

Quick quotes

    The potter believes in the existential hum of objects, but this tale of a family heirloom misses the bigger picture.

    It is a captivating story that could have benefited from a broader historical context.

    De Waal's personal connection to the objects is evident and adds a layer of depth to the narrative.

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