June Book of the Month Pick
Kahn and Engelmann: A Novel by Hans Eichner
‘[An] astounding, ambitious work […] an original, moving novel’
Quill & Quire (starred review)
Kahn and Engelmann was translated by Jean M. Snook and was released by Biblioasis, Canada on April 27th, 2009.
Kahn and Engelmann is a novel in the shape of a memoir, telling the stories from three generations of narrator Peter Engelmann’s family. Engelmann begins his story with the immigration of his grandparents from rural Hungary to Vienna, and their return to Hungary. Along with their travels, Engelmann provides a vivid and beautiful description of late 19th century Vienna and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He goes on to describe the garment store his father co-owned with his uncle, Kahn and Engelmann of the title, but tales from his own life are interspersed throughout these stories. Engelmann describes his survival of World War II, and eventual immigration to Israel to join the Jewish movement. The result is a dramatic account of the people and stories of Peter Engelmann’s family.
Hans Eichner was born into a Jewish family in Vienna, Austria in 1921. He escaped from the Nazis into Belgium, then England. After earning a Ph.D. at the University of London, Eichner immigrated to Canada, where he became Head of the German Department at the University of Toronto and a widely published author of books on German Romantic literature. Hans Eichner died on the eve of publication of the English translation of Kahn and Engelmann, at his home in Rockwood, Ontario.
“A work of creative fiction that astonishes us with its breadth and moves us with its passion […] A novel of lasting value.” Seminar (Canada)
“With magisterial storytelling skill he involves the reader in Jewish daily life, in traditionally holidays and unusual customs. Hans Eichner wanted […] to build a memorial to the Jews of Vienna with this book. He has succeeded.” Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany)
“Only rarely does a novel describe the atmosphere of Jewish life as evocatively and authentically as in the case of Kahn and Engelmann by Hans Eichner.” Literaturhaus (Austria)
“Kahn and Engelmann is a vividly and lovingly narrated book […] one of the most beautiful novels I’ve read this year.” Literarische Welt (Germany)
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