- 1. The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal is a poignant and beautifully crafted memoir that intertwines the history of a family with the story of a collection of exquisite Japanese netsuke, tiny carved sculptures that the author inherited from his great-uncle, Iggy Ephrussi. Set against the backdrop of the Ephrussi family's rise and fall, the narrative traverses through the opulence of turn-of-the-century Paris, the trauma of World War II, and the implications of cultural heritage and memory. As de Waal meticulously unravels the threads of his family's past, he reflects on themes of exile, loss, and the deep connections that art can forge across generations. The netsuke, with their intricate craftsmanship and varied symbolism, serve not just as artistic treasures, but as vessels of stories—each piece representing a fragment of history that has witnessed the upheaval of time and the resilience of identity. Through lyrical prose and philosophical insight, de Waal navigates the intersections of art, family legacy, and the enduring power of objects, ultimately inviting readers to ponder their own relationships with memory and heritage.
What is the primary profession of Edmund de Waal?
A) Historian
B) Novelist
C) Art dealer
D) Ceramicist
- 2. What is the collection of objects at the heart of the book?
A) Paintings
B) Rare books
C) Netsuke
D) Porcelain vases
- 3. The netsuke collection was originally purchased in which city?
A) Vienna
B) Paris
C) London
D) Tokyo
- 4. Which family member of de Waal's first acquired the netsuke?
A) Charles Ephrussi
B) Emmy von Ephrussi
C) Ignace von Ephrussi
D) Victor Ephrussi
- 5. The Ephrussi family made their initial fortune in what trade?
A) Shipping
B) Banking
C) Grain
D) Art
- 6. In which city did the Ephrussi family build a famous palace?
A) Vienna
B) Prague
C) Paris
D) Odessa
- 7. Who was the family maid who saved the netsuke during the Nazi annexation of Austria?
A) Anna
B) Maria
C) Elsa
D) Greta
- 8. What major historical event led to the Ephrussi family's ruin in Vienna?
A) The Dreyfus Affair
B) World War I
C) The Russian Revolution
D) The Anschluss
- 9. Charles Ephrussi was a patron and friend to which group of artists?
A) The Cubists
B) The Pre-Raphaelites
C) The Surrealists
D) The Impressionists
- 10. What is the title of the famous painting that features Charles Ephrussi?
A) Luncheon of the Boating Party
B) The Dance Class
C) The Card Players
D) A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
- 11. The book is structured as a journey through the family's history across how many cities?
A) Five
B) Three
C) Four
D) Six
- 12. Who is the author of 'The Hare with Amber Eyes'?
A) Hilary Mantel
B) Edmund de Waal
C) Julian Barnes
D) Sebastian Faulks
- 13. What is Edmund de Waal's primary profession?
A) Art dealer
B) Historian
C) Novelist
D) Potter
- 14. What is the origin country of the netsuke?
A) Korea
B) India
C) China
D) Japan
A) Small carved toggles
B) Woodblock prints
C) Silk kimonos
D) Ceramic vases
- 16. Which famous novelist was a friend of Charles Ephrussi and featured him in a novel?
A) Émile Zola
B) Victor Hugo
C) Gustave Flaubert
D) Marcel Proust
- 17. From which city did the Ephrussi family originally emigrate?
A) Odessa
B) Berlin
C) Prague
D) Warsaw
- 18. What material is the hare with amber eyes primarily carved from?
A) Ivory
B) Stone
C) Jade
D) Wood
- 19. Which character in Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' is based on Charles Ephrussi?
A) Saint-Loup
B) Swann
C) Baron de Charlus
D) Bergotte
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