Inheriting 264 netsuke from his Great-Uncle is the catalyst for De Waal's quest to uncover their story. A fascinating account of the ascendancy of his Jewish family from the grand salons of Paris to the high society of Vienna. The Ephrussi's wealth and lifestyle are unparalleled but almost all is lost as the Nazis march relentlessly on Europe. De Waal's eloquent and modest style avoids sentimentality but one still feels the emotion as he uncovers his remarkable ancestry.
(Rebecca Howell - bwl 61 Summer 2011 ) |
