The Habsburg Cafe

by Andrew Riemer

Revisiting Eastern Europe, having left it at the age of ten, award-winning author Andrew Riemer presents a sparkling account of his travels in Austria and Hungary, the heartland of the Habsburg Empire. He takes us from Vienna, which he calls a theme park dedicated to images of a romantic past, to the chaos of contemporary Hungary. The cities and towns of his childhood memories have altered almost beyond recognition and yet are somehow familiar, with the spirit of the long-dead Habsburg world evident - the cafes are still filled with cakes oozing cream and custard, and the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee and vanilla.A travel book, an exploration of the past and a shrewd examination of contemporary politics and culture, The Habsburg Cafe illuminates the experiences of a troubled and perplexing age.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

Famed Australian literary critic and writer, who also published under the name A.P. Riemer.

Reviews

[Lyn Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful discovery.
Review to come.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Riemer is an immigrant to Australia. His family immigrated there over 50 years ago. Even though he has spent the majority of his life there, his roots go back to Hungary. His family escaped with their lives, as they are Jewish. The story was written almost 20 years ago, so some of his thoughts no longer hold true. He travelled back to Hungary in 1990 to give a series of talks about Australian literature. While lecturing, he explored his roots. He travelled back to the family home, met a distant cousin, and experienced a flood of memories. He was troubled by the memories. felt betrayed, but really identifies with being Hungarian. He discusses how Romania was rewarded part of Hungary, and using the we pronoun when he discusses it. Very powerful, very insightful.

[Victoria Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this to learn a little about the Austro Hungary of my grandparents' era. Unfortunately, the tone is pompous, the writing overblown, the opinions dated, elitist and sexist. I struggled through with it but only just.