Author Talk | Edmund de Waal and Adam Gopnik in Conversation

The Saul and Gladys Gwirtzman Lecture
Join us for a conversation between writers Edmund de Waal and Adam Gopnik to celebrate the launch of de Waal's "Letters to Camondo," the highly anticipated follow up to his 2010 bestseller, The Hare with Amber Eyes. This collection of imaginary letters from Edmund de Waal to Moise de Camondo reveals the captivating and ultimately tragic story of the banker and art collector who settled in 19th-century Paris, creating a spectacular house, now the Musée Nissim de Camondo, and filled it with an incredible collection of French 18th-century art. The 50 letters in this new work are deeply personal reflections on assimilation, melancholy, family, art, the vicissitudes of history, and the value of memory.

[@michaelnicola5210]

So much energy and joy between both Gopnik and DeWaal, both of whom use words like a chef uses spices and seasonings. There is also the discourse on tragedy and the perspective of understanding and hope. Grateful to have had the opportunity to be a “guest”.

[@sabinewild4208]

I added a comment but do not know whether it was recorded. So..here it is:. born in Marseille 93 years ago in a notable Jewish family in a house filled with19th C. art and music; married to an English MD, living in the US for 65 years and publicly speaking about 19th C French history and art I read your "Letters" and also the "Hare...' with emotion and joy...................Thanks,( besides your style is so naturally elegant )

[@JocelynNeuman]

I come from a Polish banking family who over three generations also collected beautiful paintings and art objects because they appreciated them but I imagine also that they wished to be seen as cultured. Most of their collections vanished during the war years. I found the book wonderful in itself but also heard echoes of my family's history

[@victoriasaper1625]

What a BRILLIANT presentation. The style of Mr de Waal’s spoken description

[@juliebeck7856]

What a wonderful, wonderful conversation to be able to listen to-thought provoking & utterly tender.

[@annsturiale929]

Just a wonderful talk. Thank you

[@efidell]

Extraordinary! This is perfect viewing after having read the book. Now to visit the musée.

[@mikeydread62]

A wonderful book. The section about the arrests and deportations of the Camomdo family and other Paris Jews is just so powerful. It put me in mind of the Patrick Modiano book Dora Bruder (aka The Search Warrant).

[@johnmccann373]

brilliant conversation and look forward to seeing exhibition at the glorious Jewish Museum.
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[@AnneTerrail]

Thank you for this

[@lindsaydenman1835]

This is a beautiful book. I have been a bit lost in tangential research about the characters, families, and entire milieu of the story.

[@VictoriadelaPorcelaine]

the topics which are discussed here, are tragically still present today.

[@barbarameyer3538]

Looking forward

[@susankennedy8384]

what a wonderful friendship. envious of those meals and conversations.

[@lilypad999-i9v]

crying