The Exiles Return

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

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Vienna after WW2 as three characters return. I found it poignant and fascinating. I loved Adlers story the best ,the writing in his story seemed more beautiful to me.
The narrow streets, the cake shop that Kanakis sees through a broken pane and all the smells
‘The hallway was the same - and the smell - that most evocative, most nostalgic of the senses ..‘
I loved the details of life then. . Resi was an unusual character, I felt sad for her.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Itchyfeetreader, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

Cathythoughts #Persephoneclub 1d

Tamra Lovely review, Cathy! 😁 I too was really engrossed in Adler‘s return. 1d

Cathythoughts @Tamra Yes. I felt I loved him ❤️ 1d

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LeahBergen Great review! I really made me want to visit Vienna one day. 1d

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Me too ! We were there once for a few days .. I‘d love to go back. 👍🏻🥰 1d

andrew61 Great review Cathy. Yes Adler's tale was the heart of this story and the relationship with Nina is a warm ending that contrasts so dramatically with the sad story of Resi and the materialistic acquisition of Kanelskis. Like @LeahBergen it made me want to visit Vienna. I went in the 80s on an interrail so think I'd appreciate it more now. Great review. 1d

Cathythoughts @andrew61 We were there a few years ago briefly, and I loved it. I prefer it to Paris , and I‘d love to go back as well. The book was very good 👍🏻 18h

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kspenmoll

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

Mid-morning coffee. Slept in late; rare for me! #coffeeandbooks

IriDas Good to get some extra rest. 😊 2d

LeahBergen How are you enjoying this? It‘s our current #PersephoneClub read! 👏 2d

kspenmoll @LeahBergen I am only on page 25 where he is still on the train going into Vienna. But I am intrigued and anxious to see his response to everything. 2d

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andrew61

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

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This excellent story centres on 3 people returning to Vienna Post ww2 for a new life. Pr Adler confronts nazi suspicion in his old lab in a brilliant scene. Kanakis is a rich exile who wants to buy property + surround himself in admirers. Resi is a beautiful teenager sent to family. Compelling read.
@quietjenn @Tamra @CarolynM @sisilia @Caryl @daena @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Bookbuyingaddict @julieclair @willaful @LeahBergen #persephoneclub

Tamra Adler‘s story was compelling and I felt drawn into his quest to create a new life post exile. (edited) 6d

Itchyfeetreader Oh - this sounds like something I would like but am trying so hard to clear the years of stress book buying trolley this year ! 6d

LeahBergen Great review, Andrew! And I like to see your shelf of Persephones peeping out from the background. 😄 6d

Cathythoughts Great review… I‘m finding it compelling too. 6d

andrew61 @Tamra @Itchyfeetreader @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I'd hesitate to say this wasvon my favourites of our persephone reads, but it is definitely up there. Despite the ending, Adler and Nina left me feeling very satisfied. 3d

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Cathythoughts

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

Finally started on train trip to Dublin. Also Kuno Adler is on his train to Vienna. Loving it so far , beautiful writing and story. #Persephoneclub

kspenmoll This sounds like a wonderful compliment to a book I just finished

I Belong to Vienna: A Jewish Family's Story of Exile and Return

Cathythoughts @kspenmoll It surely does 😁❤️ 7d

andrew61 Enjoy your trip Cathy, and the book. I enjoyed it immensely. 7d

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CarolynM Enjoy the book, and Dublin😘 7d

sarahbarnes Enjoy! 💕 7d

Lesliereadsalot Have the best time. My two best friends and I went to Dublin a few years ago to go on the Game of Thrones tour. So much fun! 6d

Tamra Have a wonderful trip - sounds perfect, book on a train! 😘 6d

marleed Barry‘s tea always makes me smile. My sister (RIP) sold Barry‘s tea in her Irish store in Butte, Montana and sung its praises. Same sister reused a single tea bag (of any variety) all day long and I teased her she did not drink tea so much as tea infused water. I brought a large box of Barry‘s home with me. I drink my tea very strong so I loved Barry‘s but I‘m pretty sure she must have reused the same tea bag for a week🤣 6d

Cathythoughts @Lesliereadsalot sounds great ! Thankyou x 6d

Cathythoughts @sarahbarnes Thanks Sarah x 6d

Cathythoughts @Tamra Book on train is my very favorite 🥰📚 6d

Cathythoughts @marleed I love Barry‘s tea. It has to be Barry‘s , nothing else will do. Reusing the tea bag is a very good idea, I‘m just too lazy 😁 6d

Cathythoughts @andrew61 Thanks Andrew. I‘m really enjoying the book. 6d

Cathythoughts @CarolynM Thanks Carolyn , I am x 6d

LeahBergen Have fun in Dublin, Cathy, and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. 😘 6d

AnnCrystal Dublin 💖💖💖. 6d

Cathythoughts @AnnCrystal ❤️❤️❤️ 6d

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Thanks Leah, I have a feeling I will enjoy it immensely ❤️ 6d

kspenmoll I just started this book. Thought it a perfect accompaniment to

I Belong to Vienna: A Jewish Family's Story of Exile and Return

MemoirsForMe Enjoy your vacation! 💚 2d

Cathythoughts @kspenmoll Oh great ❤️ 1d

Cathythoughts @MemoirsForMe Thankyou ❤️ 1d

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CarolynM

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

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From the very start, this book told me where it was going. Even so, I was surprised when it got there. I knew nothing about life in post WWII Vienna and found this aspect of it fascinating. I enjoyed Resi‘s story, but she was such an ephemeral character I didn‘t feel a lot for her. I felt much more connected to Professor Adler & his efforts to make a new life in his old home. #PersephoneClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, daena, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

LeahBergen That was exactly how I felt about the characters, too, and found I was much more interested in Resi‘s family and friends. On a side note, I really love this bookmark and endpapers. 😆 1w

Cathythoughts Great review Carolyn, I‘m hoping to start tomorrow 👍🏻♥️ 1w

Tamra I too really enjoyed Adler‘s character. 😊 7d

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LeahBergen

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

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This was a fascinating look at post-WWII Austria, a time of which I knew very little about before reading this novel. We follow three exiles on their return to Vienna from America and try to figure out how their lives will intersect to explain the “accidental” death described in the prologue. So good!

#PersephoneClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

andrew61 I finished it last night and would love to be having a discussion about it. Pr Alder and Nina was an outcome which was very moving but as for poor Resi , what can I say. Another great persephone read. 1w

LeahBergen @andrew61 I was very happy with the Alder and Nina outcome (and that little peek into their future together!) but poor Resi is right! What do you think of Kanakis‘ grief at the end? I was moved enough to think he really felt for her and she wasn‘t a complete “marriage of convenience”. I hope? 1w

andrew61 Yes, it was curious. Kanakis seemed to want Resi as a trophy, a beautiful curio like the shepherdess, and that would allow him to then hide his attraction to young men like Bimbo. I think he may have been upset in the way he would have been if the shepherdess had been dropped at the loss of a beautiful object. The book continually emphasises Resi's beauty. 1w

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andrew61 I thought the confrontation between Adler and Krieger was particularly dramatic. Krieger's admission of his activities in the war was shocking and Adler was remarkable in his response. I also liked the three sisters who were princesses. I will add Vienna to my list of places to visit. 1w

Cathythoughts Great review Leah. I must start soon , then I can read the spoiler too 👍🏻😁 1w

CarolynM Great review. It‘s not something I know anything about either. I‘m just about to start Part 2. I‘ll come back to your spoiler comment when I finish🙂 1w

LeahBergen @andrew61 I definitely think you‘re right about the trophy aspect of his affection for her (look at how excited he was to think of dressing her). And that whole Adler/Krieger confrontation was so powerful! 1w

LeahBergen @andrew61 I kind of wish I had three Austrian princess aunts 😆😆 1w

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM I tried to not give too much of the plot away in my review 😆 1w

Bookbuyingaddict Hi 👋 all great reviews and loving 🥰 following along however I‘m giving this particular one a miss but will join back in with the next 😀happy reading 📖 folks ❤️ 1w

LeahBergen @Bookbuyingaddict No worries! We‘ll see you for the next one! 😘 1w

CarolynM @LeahBergen @andrew61 I agree with you about why Kanakis wanted Resi but I think he would have been kind to her & they would have had a life that suited them both. I think he was grieving what might have been as well as the loss of beauty. I would have liked more about Professor Adler & how he felt about the changes in the people & the city. The circumstances of the fading aristocracy as represented by the 3 princesses interested me too. 1w

LeahBergen @CarolynM I thought the same thing about Kanakis and was (weirdly!) rooting for them. 1w

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andrew61

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

I am enjoying our latest foray into the persephone catalogue + so far this is an interesting tale of several individuals returning to Vienna post ww2. This was a very powerful scene in which Pr Adler is confronted by Dr Krieger + ends up justifying himself. Very powerful+ required a reflective pause
@quietjenn @Tamra @CarolynM @sisilia @Caryl @daena @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Bookbuyingaddict @julieclair @willaful @LeahBergen #persephoneclub

LeahBergen That passage stopped me in my tracks, too! 1w

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Tamra

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

This post contains spoilers

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My favorite paragraph & single line in the whole novel! Pg. 168
#PersephoneClub

LeahBergen This whole interaction was so powerful! 1w

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Tamra

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

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I‘m so glad the de Waals family allowed her novels to be published posthumously. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and circumstance of this one, which were unique enough to keep me engaged. It also went off in surprising directions! Makes me wonder whether this could have been published in the 1950‘s. 🤔 #PersephoneClub

Tamra There were a couple of too abrupt transitions and sadly the Adler - Grein thread was too hastily tied. I wanted more on that storyline, it just ended rather early on! 3w

LeahBergen I‘m just about to start it so I‘ll come back to comment! 😄 3w

andrew61 Great review. I'll probably start next week. Will be interesting, it's a while since I read hare with the Amber eyes which focused a lot on lost lives from war. 3w

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Tamra @LeahBergen 👏🏾 3w

Tamra @andrew61 I will have to add that to the TBR! 3w

CarolynM I‘m hoping to get started on this one in the next day or two. I‘ll come back for your spoiler comment when I‘ve finished. 3w

Tamra @CarolynM 😁 It‘s my favorite paragraph of the novel. 2w

Cathythoughts I need to start this. Finishing off my IRL bookclub book first …. 2w

Tamra @Cathythoughts I hope you like it! It‘s not flawless, but I was invested in the characters and didn‘t want it to end actually. 2w

LeahBergen I was surprised at some of the content, too! And I agree, more on Adler would have been great. I knew so little about this time period and found myself fascinated by Vienna (I must visit one day!) 1w

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Tamra

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

Perfect outdoor reading time. ☺️ Definitely enjoying the #PersephoneClub pick. Elizabeth has made all of the characters interesting. I want to know more!

LeahBergen You have me intrigued! I must start soon. 4w

Cathythoughts Oh great ! I must start soon too ❤️ 4w

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LitsyEvents

The Exiles Return: A Novel | de Waal, Elisabeth

Repost for @LeahBergen

It‘s now June so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@elkeOriginal ‘s pick for us this month is The Exiles Return by Elisabeth de Waal. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

LeahBergen Thanks for the repost! ❤️ 1mo

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LeahBergen

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

It‘s now April so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@elkeOriginal ‘s pick for us this month is The Exiles Return by Elisabeth de Waal. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 1mo

CarolynM Thanks Leah😘 I‘ll get started on it soon. 1mo

Cathythoughts Thanks Leah, I‘ll take it down from my shelf today. Looking forward to it x 1mo

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Cathythoughts I have this as a gift from you , two years ago ❤️🙏 1mo

LeahBergen @Liz_M Thank you! 😘 1mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM It should be a good one! 🤞 1mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts That‘s right! I forgot about that. It was after we so enjoyed her other one. 😘 1mo

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elkeOriginal

The Exiles Return: A Novel | Elisabeth de Waal

Here are our choices for our June #PersephoneClub group read.

The Exiles Return: 5 people return to Vienna 10 years post-WWII to see if/how they can pick up their lives interrupted by war. Written by the author of Milton Place which we read together.

Doreen: story about and in the voice of a young British girl evacuated to the countryside after the Blitz. Book listing tagged in comments.