I wasn't interested in the subject matter. My mother loved this book, so I tried it.

Perhaps more scholarly, unemotional readers.

Actually his British accent made the story seem even more impersonal

I was intrigued by the Netsuke and thought the story could have been told in a much more interesting fashion. I would have scraped so much I don't know where to begin...

There was little to relate to, no one to root for and a jagged story line to follow. The author veered so often into unnecessary territory it angered me! I found myself thinking this story could have been great - his portrayal of the characters made them so removed and aloof from others and their heritage. I wanted to like the characters and wanted to know more about how they felt! Although there was a great deal of Jewish history that I was unaware of and sickened by, it didn't do enough for me to keep me engaged. I was ashamed of these Jews who tried so hard to become Austrians and disavow themselves of their Jewishness - I couldn't understand them! The author writes well but with little humanity!

The narrator of this book had such a difficult job because there were so many various foreign words to overcome, but he did his job perfectly--as if he knows German, French and Japanese himself.
The lyrical writing is really beautiful and the meditation on the nature of family, history and art makes this book memorable. It builds up to the climax of what we all know will happen to Jews of Europe, but the set up is masterful and conjures up a bygone era so masterfully.
I recommend looking at the book too because there is a really useful family tree in the front of it that is quite helpful. There are also photos that the author included of his family and they help explain the story.
Kudos to Michael Maloney, who is a wonderful narrator.

Beautifully written and observed.

Very unusual point of view about intimate things we all experience but only half consciously. Written by a true artist. BTW: if you read this book, go on line to see the objects he writes about AND his own ceramics are amazing.

Incredible nuance. I am floored by the performance.

Don't miss this book !

Beautifully written. Maloney's performance is excellent. I could definitely listen to this book more than once.