Letters to Camondo
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Letters to Camondo
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Letters to Camondo
I know your street rather well.
Count Moïse de Camondo lived a few doors away from Edmund de Waal's forebears, the Ephrussi, first encountered in his bestselling memoir The Hare with Amber Eyes. Edmund de Waal explores the lavish rooms and detailed archives and uncovers new layers to the family story.
From the author of the bestselling phenomenon The Hare with Amber Eyes, Edmund de Waal brings us a poignant and meticulously crafted work, Letters to Camondo. This book delves into the rise and fall of an extraordinary family in twentieth-century Europe, interweaving history, art, and personal narrative.
Located a few doors down from de Waal's own family, the Camondos were notable figures within the belle époque high society of Paris. The protagonist, Count Moïse de Camondo, devoted his life to creating a sublime house for his son to inherit, filled with exquisite art and treasures. However, this narrative isn't just about the beauty and grandeur; it also touches on the darker shadows of history, such as the pervasive anti-Semitism that both families faced.
In a deeply personal and engaging format, de Waal explores the opulent rooms and extensive archives of the Camondo household. Told through a series of intimate and haunting letters addressed directly to Count Moïse de Camondo, de Waal paints a vivid picture of what transpired through the years, shedding light on personal and collective memories lost to time.
Letters to Camondo is not only a tribute to the Camondo family but also an exploration of the concept of memory and legacy. Within its pages, the book invites readers to reflect on the impact of history on both individual lives and family legacies, drawing connections between the personal and the historical.
The Guardian praises the book as "Illuminating... A wonderful tribute to a family and to an idea," while the Financial Times describes it as "Dazzling... Letters to Camondo immerses you in another age."
With his signature blend of historical detail and narrative flair, Edmund de Waal has crafted a work that is as illuminating as it is deeply moving. This book promises to be a compelling read for anyone interested in history, art, and the intricate tapestries of human lives.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Letters to Camondo has received high praise for its meditation on exile, migration, and polarisation, feeling painfully relevant. Critics have described it as a marvellous, elegant, and tender book that is disturbing yet appreciative of high culture and civilisation. The Evening Standard commends de Waal's writing for opening a window onto an entire lost world, while the Observer finds it unforgettable. The Times notes it will change your perspective on historical objects and old letters.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529114294
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 June 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 16.0mm
Width: 132.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 322g
Pages: 192
About the Author
Edmund de Waal is an artist whose porcelain is exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. His bestselling memoir, The Hare with Amber Eyes, won the RSL Ondaatje prize and the Costa Biography Award and in 2015 he was awarded the Windham-Campbell prize for non-fiction by Yale University. The White Road, a journey into the history of porcelain, was published in 2015. He lives in London with his family. www.edmunddewaal.com
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