The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss Summary & Key Insights

Edmund de Waal's "The Hare with Amber Eyes" is a deeply personal and moving memoir tracing the history of his family through the lens of a collection of 264 netsuke, small Japanese toggles, that have been passed down through generations. The narrative seamlessly blends personal reflection with historical context, creating a poignant exploration of family, memory, loss, and the enduring power of objects.

The story begins with the author's discovery of the netsuke, a legacy inherited from his great-uncle, Iggie, a member of the Ephrussi family. This discovery propels de Waal on a journey to understand the objects' history and, in turn, his family's past. The Ephrussi family, of Viennese Jewish origin, rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming enormously wealthy through banking and art collecting. Central to the narrative is Iggie, a fascinating and somewhat enigmatic figure whose life and fate are intimately tied to the netsuke collection.

The book unfolds chronologically, charting the family's prosperity and subsequent downfall during the turbulent years leading up to and following World War I. We see the family's luxurious life in Vienna, their elegant homes filled with art and culture, and their eventual dispersal across Europe as anti-Semitism intensified. The narrative highlights several key figures, including Charles Ephrussi, a renowned art collector and connoisseur, whose taste heavily influenced the family's acquisition of artistic treasures. The book vividly portrays the family's gradual decline, culminating in the devastating impact of the Holocaust which drastically alters the family's fortunes and scatters them across the globe. Iggie, a key character, represents both the resilience and vulnerability of the family; his experiences, although largely told through documents and letters, are deeply affecting.

Through the lens of the netsuke, de Waal explores several overarching themes. The collection itself becomes a tangible symbol of continuity, connecting him to ancestors he never knew. The passing down of these small, exquisitely crafted objects highlights the fragility of memory and the enduring nature of the past. The book contemplates themes of loss, both material and personal, as the family loses their wealth, their homes, and ultimately, many of their members to the horrors of the war. The narrative also grapples with the complexities of identity, exploring the challenges of being Jewish in a Europe increasingly hostile to Jewish people.

Ultimately, "The Hare with Amber Eyes" is a profoundly moving story about family legacy, the power of objects to connect us to the past, and the enduring strength of human connection across generations and in the face of unimaginable hardship. It’s a compelling blend of personal memoir, art history, and historical narrative, leaving the reader with a profound sense of empathy for the Ephrussi family and a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of historical events on individual lives.