Uncle Rudolf

by Paul Bailey

In Uncle Rudolf , two-time Booker-Prize finalist Paul Bailey has crafted an exquisite, profoundly moving portrayal of a charismatic and popular performer in World War II-era Europe, and the orphaned nephew he takes under his wing.

Seventy-year-old man Andre reflects back on his life, beginning with his Jewish childhood in Romania on the eve of World War II. Andre's father, in a desperate effort to save him from the coming holocaust, hands him over to his captivating uncle Rudolf, an internationally famous singer of popular operettas. Rudolf is a sublimely gifted lyric tenor, a dashing leading man who is the object of many women's affections-but also an artist who lives in the shadow of his own unachieved potential as an opera star. Rudolf takes the boy to back to London, renames him Andrew, turns all his attention and sardonic humor upon him, and gradually sculpts him into a gentleman.

Vivid, often lighthearted scenes of Andrew's worldly life with Rudolf are intertwined with the unfolding secrets of his forgotten past as Andre, which have shadowed his otherwise happy life. Told in matchless prose, Uncle Rudolf captures in fine detail the mood of 1940s Europe--and reveals the emotions of a man whose achievement falls short of his brilliant promise. It is a wise, knowing, elegant story about the sacrifices we make for those we love.

Genres: Fiction, British Literature, Historical Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2003

About the author

Peter Harry "Paul" Bailey was a British novelist and critic, as well as a biographer of Cynthia Payne and Quentin Crisp.

Reviews

[Cristian Sirb · Rating 5 out of 5]

O recenzzzentă de aici a scris că Unchiul Rudolf e o carte cam confuză, din cauza “stream of consciousness” (oare știe ea ce e fluxul conștiinței? Poate-l confundă cu intoleranța la lactoză).

Mnoa, prostii obișnuite de la cititori de care, oricâte lecturi ar duce la capăt, nu se lipește nimic. Lectura nu vindecă prostia, o infatuează! Compensați, frați și surori, compensați prin cantitate, căci cu intelectul nu mai e nimic de făcut...

Ar fi fost realmente o pierdere dacă n-aș fi citit cartea asta!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally light, it's an easy to read, simply written novel that just captures your attention! Being romanian myself, I was able to connect to some things in the book (obviously), and I was pleased to see that everything was correctly written about. I was especially amazed by the refference to great romanian musicians, in this case GEorge Enescu and Dinu Lipatti, men that are above high standars in music, men that achieved more than many of our people.
I would gladly recommend this book to anyone who wants something easy and light to read, but from which he/she can learn many things about real, cultural music.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful novel about family and so much else - although I am often less than respectful of the synopsis' Goodreads provides the one for 'Uncle Rudolf' is spot on. It is too long since I read this novel to produce a proper review, but this is a five star novel and one that I will be rereading.

Paul Bailey was an immensely talented writer. He had fallen from popularity before his death, which is incomprehensible to me, but is a writer who deserves to be rediscovered.

[Jacob biscuits · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. Ali Smith liked this? Enough to pour praise on the blurb? I think that there's a much superior version of this book that could have been written. I mean, I'm certain there is. It's such a basic plot. There are hundreds of superior versions of this basic plot. I was still charmed enough by the idea of the novel to feel disappointed by the version of it that could have been written. Proper review incoming. I think I'll stick to Fred Uhlman's "Reunion".

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fake memoir constructed of Andrew Peterson's fragmented memories. Uncle Rudolf could really be described as a gigantic puzzle of pieces of recollections that needs to be put together in order to reveal the full picture. Remarkable narrative.

[Pauline]

A good story but confusing because of stream of consciousness.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book with the sort of grand themes that make it feel more substantial than it's short span. It joins arms with Bailey's other books, following his tradition of including shared characters across his novels, albeit in different central or bit-part roles. Here we get the lingering sorrow of Holocaust goodbyes, tied to the Romanian family trees whose woods we first skirted in Kitty and Virgil.

'Uncle Rudolf' was mid-table Bailey for me. It's hard to judge this sort of book without thinking of Thomas Keneally, to Bailey's disadvantage. Seen as a wistfully melancholic tale it's got the faint smokiness of the train terminus but on a minor line. It's fine but I think others have done this better.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting story of loss of parents and place and the finding of a new life with an uncle. This novel is written as a reflection by Andrei of the strange journey he is sent on by his father in order to save him from the approaching Holocaust. The loss of his country, parents and language are replaced by an uncle, a famous singer, who takes him to London and introduces him to a new life, with even a new name. He helps him become a gentleman with love and sardonic humor. This is an elegant story about the sacrifices we make for love.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really nice book. Story line: The Romanian parents of a 7 yr. old boy, Andrew, give him up to the uncle (Rudolf) who lives comfortably in pre- WWII London. This is the story of him, his life before London, and with his uncle in London and France. The story line goes back and forth between the uncle's life and Andrew's, up into his 70's and near death.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short, fast read that is crafted well. I am interested in Holocaust fiction and historical fiction, and this book satisfied my interest.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book from an author new to me.

[The Idle Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a review, please see my blog:
http://theidlewoman.blogspot.co.uk/20...

[Damian Serbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey is a delightful writer. He sets intense stories in the past and gives them an incredible authenticity. This is a moving story, well told.