This is a marvelous history of one family, chronicling two world wars and some of the most horrific events of recent history. The author Meriel Schindler's father Kurt passes away, leaving in his wake boxes and boxes filled with old documents and photo albums. Meriel, seeking a way to come to terms with her fractured relationship with her father, delves into the history of their family, looking for truths in her father's sometimes extremely fantastical stories of family history. She finds this and much, much more.
The stories of family are centered around the cafe, which was the "in" place to go before WWII hits and jews are suppressed from owning and operating any businesses.
This story is rich with history, from nineteenth-century Bohemia to present day, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery with Meriel. A rather poignant tale of family success, failure, sadness, fear and every emotion in between.
I highly recommend this book to readers interested in the history of Austrian Jews before during and after two world wars and the history of Innsbruck itself. Thank you to the publishers at W.W, Norton and Company and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

The author really delved deep into the archives of Innsbruck to research her family history. This book is not just about her family lineage but also the Cafe Schindler which underwent many evolutions. I learned a great deal about Austrian history from reading this book. I enjoyed the deep roots of family information the author fleshed out. It’s a hefty tome and I took my time while reading to digest all that it revealed. I heard about this book during Edelweiss Bookfest and was eager to read it.

Lawyer and author Meriel Schindler has a stunning family history! She scrutinized and sorted the papers in dozens of boxes in addition to thirteen photo albums her father Kurt kept and left upon his death in 2017. She also travels to discover more. What is so intriguing about this documentation and further research (interviews, newspapers) is what it represents, before WWI and during the Nazi era. This powerful book about her Jewish family is the result.

To say the author grew up in a confusing environment is an understatement. She details her experiences as a young girl, though most of the story is about her ancestors. This book includes personal photographs, illustrations and even recipes from the beloved Cafe Schindler which was originally owned by her Jewish family in Innsbruck. Amongst my favourite photographs are those of the author walking to her house and her great grandmother engrossed in a book on a bench. But there are many more. Posters are remarkable, too. And the coffee cups!

Jews, "dangerous parasites", suffered through unimaginable anguish in this era in Europe and the Schindlers were heavily impacted. They were forced to leave their dear cafe, distillery, factory and lives. Reading about Dr. Eduard Bloch and one of his patients in particular is absolutely riveting (what a family resemblance!). Hitler connections are detailed as are terrifying house searches, propaganda, a secret escape tunnel, Kristallnacht, family rows, Richenau labour camp and execution. There is even a timeline of Germany's occupation of Austria, hour by hour.

I hung onto every word...and was very moved. The commemorative plaque in the back is poignant and beautiful. In honour of this family I am making Das Schindler Sacher Torte tomorrow. I bet this version is delectable! Kudos to the author for taking on this massive project. As a reader I am so glad she did! Her children have a gem of a compilation.

Readers of this era, please read this book. I cannot possibly recommend it highly enough. It is very personal yet told in a matter of fact way, with no sugar coating.

My sincere thank you to W. W. Norton Company and NetGalley for the honour of reading this important and exceptional book.