The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century Of Art And Loss (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
The Sense of an Ending / Julian Barnes. Only 163 pages (novella?), but provocative and memorable. (Man Booker prizewinner) Tony Webster, London retiree, relates an account of his affairs and marriage. In particular, he recalls and ponders the history of his relationship with college girlfriend Veronica. Veronica’s life is also entwined with Adrian’s, a mutual friend; she re-enters Tony’s world forty some years later. This book is a fine, balanced portrait of an “ordinary” introspective man and his most extraordinary experience. I confess Veronica annoyed me a good deal, but that feeling did not lessen the power of the story. While i was wondering about the writer's intentions, i found myself gradually enchanted by the presence of famous painters and writers, who exchanged letters and visits with the Ephrussis. Small but still very amusing incidents and the feeling that members of this family were just everywhere, in philosophy, in culture, in luxury, in wealth, even in a famous painting. Suddenly, i felt surrounded by Renoir, Monet, Hofmannsthal, Robert Musil, Rainer Maria Rilke and many more, reading their remarks about art and politics. On the same time, we watched Ephrussis leading an extravagant life with dinners, partys, opera, beautiful dresses and jewelry until the Anschluss and the tragedy afterwards. And that is the essence of this book to my opinion, all these little stories and the use of of fanciful words and descriptions. I guess that the relationships and the personalities of the Ephrussis could have been described more deeply, but it is possible that the writer wanted to keep a distance, being himself also a member of the family.
What do You think about The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century Of Art And Loss (2010)?
One vitrine too many in the end. Started brilliantly, but got progressively more boring
—Ahsea
Enjoyed the art history aspect. I wanted more about ntesuke though.
—miriamwebb
I found it choppy and confusing although I lived the subject matter
—ann
A moving, beautiful memoir and family history
—DeDe
