The Tobacconist

By Robert Seethaler and Charlotte Collins

'Set at a time of lengthening shadows, this is a novel about the sparks that illuminate the dark: of wisdom, compassion, defiance and courage. It is wry, piercing and also, fittingly, radiant.' Daily Mail

From Robert Seethaler, the author of the Man Booker International shortlisted A Whole Life, comes a deeply moving story of ordinary lives profoundly affected by the Third Reich, in the tradition of novels such as Fred Uhlman's classic Reunion, Bernhard Schlink's The Reader and Rachel Seiffert's The Dark Room.

When seventeen-year-old Franz exchanges his home in the idyllic beauty of the Austrian lake district for the bustle of Vienna, his homesickness quickly dissolves amidst the thrum of the city. In his role as apprentice to the elderly tobacconist Otto Trsnyek, he will soon be supplying the great and good of Vienna with their newspapers and cigarettes. Among the regulars is a Professor Freud, whose predilection for cigars and occasional willingness to dispense romantic advice will forge a bond between him and young Franz.

It is 1937. In a matter of months Germany will annex Austria and the storm that has been threatening to engulf the little tobacconist will descend, leaving the lives of Franz, Otto and Professor Freud irredeemably changed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Oct 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781509806607

Robert Seethaler

ROBERT SEETHALER was born in Austria and now divides his time between Vienna and Berlin. He is the author of four novels, including The Tobacconist, which has sold more than one million copies in Germany, and A Whole Life, a finalist for the International Booker Prize. He also works as a screenwriter and an actor, most recently in Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth.

Reviews for The Tobacconist

[jphamilton-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Robert Seethaler is an Austrian novelist and actor, and I am thrilled to have read three of his impressive books: The Field, A Whole Life, and his bestselling novel, The Tobacconist. I am thoroughly taken with his understated writing style that drew me in to each of these books. In The Tobacconist, he reveals the story of a young man coming of age and simply trying to figure out his life, all while deadly prejudice and WWII begin to surround him. As a long-time bookseller who loved to create displays, I can’t ignore the fact that the paintings on the covers of all three books are very appealing, understated in much the same way as Seethaler’s writing, and are at the same time, very unique. Displayed together these covers would draw most any browser’s eyes. Covers alone may not sell a book, but they certainly do give a book a leg up when it comes to getting a wandering customer to pick a certain book up and check it out. With The Tobacconist, the publisher’s marketing department highlighted Franz, a young innocent boy being sent to apprentice for a tobacconist in Vienna, then meeting Sigmund Freud, introduced to love and sex by a music hall dancer, and then seeing the Nazis occupy the city and making violence and death common. All these things are described in little more than two hundred pages, but the story is told from the viewpoint of a very naïve seventeen-year-old boy from the countryside who finds himself selling tobacco, newspapers, and racy “wank” magazines in a shop during a world war. Back home the only newspapers he had ever been familiar with were cut up beside the toilet. Everything is new to him, as he’s also coming alive sexually, and he simply doesn’t have the experience to know how to judge all of these changes, as this is the only life he knows. I loved how Seethaler writes about how this unexperienced boy learns about desire, lust, love, and the subtle beauty of a woman’s body. “But it was mainly by the hollows in the backs of her knees that he recognized her. Not all that long ago he had buried his face in those hollows, had probed them, millimeter by millimeter, with his tongue, before embarking towards higher ground. These hollows were softer than anything Franz had ever known.” Let me add, that any wise man knows that every place on a woman’s body is the sexiest.Upon his arrival in Vienna, Franz finds just about everything overwhelming. “The city seethed like the vegetable stew on Mother’s stove.” One day, when Dr. Freud leaves his hat behind in the shop, Franz delivers it along with his newspapers and cigars to Freud’s house. Once there, he gets to know the doctor and both his wife Martha and daughter Anna. When Franz becomes infatuated and involved with a young woman, Anezka, who he learns is a music hall dancer/stripper, he gets dating advice from none other than Dr. Sigmund Freud, as well as having his active libido explained to him. There are distant rumblings about Hitler’s rise throughout the book. The storefront is tagged in pig’s blood that read, GET OUT JEWLOVER! The eventual Nazi occupation of Vienna brings about the persecution, street beating, and eventual death of the boy’s boss and the owner of the tobacco shop, Otto Trsnyek. The young boy is coming of age in a world that is brutal in inconceivable ways. Even when the story turns dark, Seethaler keeps some whimsy in his writing. The author doesn’t have to create the horror, we are all too familiar with the story, but he does an excellent job of describing how an innocent mind tries to comprehend this changing world. After Otto’s brutal beating and arrest, the boy is informed by authorities that he is to operate the shop, as the owner has died in Gestapo custody. In a most telling scene, Franz witnesses a Bolshevist hanging a large banner from a rooftop, and when he is cornered by Hitler’s followers, he chooses to “escape” by leaping to his death from the roof’s edge. Over the next few days, Franz reads in the very biased newspapers about the “dangerous and subversive” banner, never revealing what it actually said: FREEDOM OF THE PEOPLE REQUIRES FREEDOM OF THE HEART. LONG LIVE FREEDOM! LONG LIVE OUR PEOPLE! LONG LIVE AUSTRIA!One day in 1938, the postman tells Franz that after living in Vienna for eighty years, Dr. Freud is leaving the country over concerns for his safety. Seeing the guards stationed around Freud’s house, Franz sneaks in through a coal chute to say goodbye to his friend. Franz also learns about the Reich Flight Tax that took one third of a family’s fortune upon their departure.Over time, Franz learns how to manage the tobacco shop and to keep the Nazis off his case for some time. At the same time, he’s compelled to write short messages on slips of paper that he posts daily on the storefront. The book ends when several years later, Anezka visits the then abandon tobacco shop, and sees the remaining half of one of Franz’s slips still taped beside the door, she quickly takes it and hurries away as she hears the Allied bombers coming overhead. I am so glad to have discovered such a writer.

[timbazzett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I generally ignore bestsellers, but THE TOBACCONIST is an "international" bestseller, and Robert Seethaler has made quite a splash as a writer to watch. This book was published in German several years ago, and the English translation is about four years old now. I've read the Canadian edition. It's a little book, barely 200 pages, but it has both sweetness and depth, a rare combination. The sweetness is in young Austrian bumpkin Franz's coming of age, as he is tormented by his first 'love' and sexual awakening, under the able tutelage of Anezka, a voluptuous Bohemian tart with an endearing space between her teeth. (I thought of a very young Jim Harrison and his enduring crush on model-actress Lauren Hutton.) The depth lies in its setting, 1937'-38 Vienna, as the Nazis and the Gestapo begin to move in and establish themselves without a single shot fired. That and Franz's unlikely friendship with the aged Dr Sigmund Freud, who attempts to counsel the boy about women and love. "I suspect that when we talk about your love, what we really mean is your libido ... This is the force that drives people after a certain age. It causes as much joy as it does pain, and to put it in simple terms, with men, it is located in their trousers." Bingo! Franz gets this much. But at the same time, Freud also opines on current affairs, not so easy to understand. "Current world events are nothing but a tumour, an ulcer, a suppurating, stinking bubo that will soon burst and spill its disgusting contents over the whole of western civilization."Of course he is referring to the fascism, hate and wave of anti-Semitism that was beginning to consume Europe, but it also seems pretty relevant to today's situation, no? Funny how really good books are always relevant. That relevance carries over in Seethaler's depiction of the "Brown shirts" with swastika armbands who begin to fill the town - "They also had a strange light in their eyes. The light was sort of optimistic or hopeful or inspired, but essentially also dim-witted ..."As events unfold, the story becomes much darker. The shop front is defaced with pig's blood, and Franz's crippled boss is beaten and arrested by the Gestapo for selling to Jews, leaving Franz, formerly the apprentice, now the tobacconist. Dr Freud, under surveillance himself, is unable to help Franz, who is forced to do some growing up fast, and fashions his own form of revenge. Franz's maturation over the course of this hard year is further reflected in the correspondence between him and his widowed mother, cards and Ietters at first simple and comical, and then increasingly complex and moving, as the eighteen year-old tried to make sense of it all.History is made personal here. The phrase "what goes around comes around" kept cropping up in my mind as I read of Franz and Dr Freud. It's that inescapable relevance to today's headlines. And the writing here is simply beautiful, by the way. Seethaler deserves his success. Very highly recommended.- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER

[philantrop-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Durch eine Laune des Schicksals aus dem Salzkammergut ins Wien der Jahre 1937 und 1938 verschlagen, trifft Franz auf Otto Trsnjek, den Trafikanten (Betreiber eines Tabakwarenladens / Kiosks), findet mit Anezka die große Liebe und in Gesprächen mit Sigmund Freud heraus, daß er, Franz, nichts weiß und die Welt verrückt (und manchmal ziemlich unfair bis grausam) ist. Franz ist ein netter Bauernbursche – respektvoll, freundlich und (scheinbar?) etwas “einfach gestrickt”. Der See bei seinem Heimatdorf und dessen mit den Jahreszeiten wechselnde Farbe ist bis zu Franz’ Aufbruch nach Wien sein größtes Interesse – von der Welt-Politik ist er weitgehend “unbehelligt” und Zeitungen werden von ihm zu eher “periphären” Zwecken genutzt: “Hin und wieder hatte Franz vor dem Abwischen eine Überschrift, ein paar Zeilen oder vielleicht sogar einen halben Absatz gelesen, ohne daraus allerdings jemals einen sonderlichen Nutzen zu ziehen.” Aus diesem amüsanten Versatzstück sollte man jetzt jedoch nicht schlußfolgern, daß das gesamte Buch nur nettes Geplänkel ist: Wir befinden uns in 1937 und damit der dunkelsten Epoche der deutschen Geschichte im 20. Jahrhundert und “Der Trafikant” schildert dies aus der Sicht Franz’, der ein feines Empfinden für Recht, Gerechtigkeit und ein respektvolles Miteinander besitzt. Otto Trsnjek, sein Lehrmeister auch in ethischen Fragen, ahnt schon sehr klarsichtig, was noch passieren wird: “»Bis jetzt ist nur das Geschäft eines Trafikanten besudelt worden. Aber hier und heute frage ich euch: Was oder wer kommt als Nächstes dran?«” Ein Mensch wie Franz kann, ja, er muß in Konflikt mit der Ausgrenzung, Diskriminierung und Verfolgung geraten, die er in seinem Umfeld einerseits an Otto Trsnjek, aber auch an Freud, buchstäblich hautnah erlebt. Nun könnte man meinen, Franz werde sich zurückziehen, vielleicht in die innere Emigration, genau das aber tut er nicht. Franz allein kann die Welt nicht verändern, so glaubt er, und wählt daher den Weg des “zivilen Ungehorsams”, der Widerständigkeit ohne Teil des organisierten Widerstandes zu sein. Allein diese Geschichte erzählt zu haben, wäre bereits verdienstvoll und auch und gerade heute wichtig. Tut man das aber dann auch noch mit der wunderbaren Sprache, derer sich Seethaler wie nur wenige andere zu bedienen weiß, wird die Lektüre für den Leser zum absoluten Hochgenuß: “Franz spürte einen merkwürdigen Stolz in sich aufsteigen, der irgendwo hinter seiner Stirn zerplatzte und wie ein warmer Schauer in seinen Kopf hineinrieselte.” Als ich diesen Satz las, war das wie eine warme sprachliche Dusche; er evozierte Gedanken an ein Feuerwerk, das am Himmel explodiert und dessen Explosionsspuren herabsinken – ganz wundervoll! Nimmt man dann noch Franz’ persönliche Liebesgeschichte - völlig frei Kitschigkeit, glaubwürdig und in ihrer Kompliziertheit so wahrhaftig – hinzu, so weiß man erst in seiner Gesamtheit diesen wunderbaren Roman wirklich zu würdigen. Man leidet mit dem jungen Mann mit, wenn sein “böhmisches Mädchen”, seine “runde, böhmische Königin” plötzlich und unerwartet einfach mal wieder verschwindet: “Nachdem es geschehen war und er wie ein Häuflein Glück auf dem Rücken neben ihr lag, stellte er sich vor, wie er am nächsten Morgen, gleich nach dem Aufstehen, um ihre Hand anhalten würde. Aber als er aufwachte, war sie weg.” Selten wurde es so schön beschrieben und waren Glück und Unglück so nah bei einander. An vielen Stellen jedoch zeigt sich in sprachlich ergreifendster Weise die innere Spannung dieses Menschen, der doch eigentlich nichts als leben und leben lassen möchte, der sein Mädchen lieben und ganz einfach sein möchte, es aber doch nicht sein kann, weil seine eigene Menschlichkeit und Anständigkeit dies nicht zulassen. Dieses Buch kann nicht gut enden, aber es endet plausibel. Gerade in unserer Zeit muß man dieses großartige Buch beinahe schon lesen, aber es ist auch ein unglaubliches Erlebnis, das sich niemand verwehren sollte.

[uschulz-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wien, die Machtergreifung der Nazis, Freud und ein ganz junger Mann aus dem Salzkammergut

[beamis12 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5. To take a terrible and horrifying time in history, the Nazi invasion of Austria, and be able to render a story infused with tenderness and beauty, takes a great deal of talent. A young man, Franz, sent from the Lake District by his mother, to help an old friend of hers, a Tobacconist by trade, has a gradual awakening and loss of innocence with the things he sees happening. Yet, he refuses to let this define him, and is determined to live his life the best he can. He meets Sigmund Freud, asks him questions, sits with him on a park bench , trying to find the answers in how to find happiness, from this great man. The answers he receives leads him to seek out new experiences, falling in love for the first time. The prose in this book is beautiful, so many poignant moments are captured by this amazing author's words. Terrible times too, all around young Franz, who see things he only understands, gradually. He never gives up though, continues to try to live his life honoring those he loved who are gone, to his best capabilities. In all ways a book whose execution filled me with awe. A book to be read and savored or as my friend Cheri said, slowly. There is sadness too, how could there not be, but more importantly hope and the spark that ignites one to keep trying, never give up until forced. That is this book, and it is an amazing feat of writing.ARC from edelweiss.

[thefallingalice · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Die Geschichte des jungen Buben Franz Huchler spielt in der Zeit um 1937/1938. Hitlers Macht breitet sich aus und erreicht auch Franz´Heimatland Österreich. Franz wird von seiner Mutter nach Wien geschickt, um dort beim Trafikanten Otto Trsnjek in die Lehre zu gehen. Dort lernt er über seinen Horizont hinaus zu denken und den Psychologen Sigmund Freud kennen. Auch der große Freud ist irgendwie von dem jungen Mann angetan und leiht ihm sein Ohr und seine Gedanken, denn Franz verliebt sich unsterblich in Anezka. Als der Judenhass immer größer und die Macht immer willkürlicher wird, muss Franz erst die Verantwortung für die Trafik und dann für sein eigenes Leben übernehmen.Trafik ist ein österreichischer Begriff für einen kioskähnlichen Laden. Dort werden zum Großteil Zeitschriften und Tabakwaren verkauft. Franz kommt als Bauernbub nach Wien, doch die Liebe zu Anezka, zum Professor und auch zum Trafikanten lässt ihn wachsen und reifen. Franz lernt, selbständig zu denken und Zusammenhänge herzustellen, auch wenn ihn das Mädchen ein bisschen überfordert. Mit dem Fortschreiten der Geschichte wird auch die Handlung dunkler und bedrückener. Nur Franz wird immer stärker, trotz der Rückschläge und Traurigkeiten.Auch wenn ich doch den Abstand zu solchen Kriegsgeschichten suche, fällt mir doch manchmal eins in die Hände. Und selten bereue ich es, auch wenn es mich innerlich bedrückt. Der Trafikant ist schön erzählt und man fühlt mit dem Protagonisten, beobachtet seine Entwicklung und ist stolz auf sein Verhalten.Ein bemerkenswerter Roman.

[thorold_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In the autumn of 1937, Franz, a country boy from the depths of the Salzkammergut, comes to the big city to work in Otto Trsnjek's newspaper kiosk (a Trafik in Austrian German) in the Währingerstraße. Just round the corner is what might well be Vienna's most famous street address, Berggasse 19, where the well-known Deppendoktor, Prof. Dr. Freud, lives. And, naturally enough, the professor himself pops in from time to time for 20 Virginias and the Neue Freie Presse. As we are all expecting, an unlikely friendship develops between the elderly Freud and our Franzl, who manages to extract a certain amount of grandfatherly advice from the great man in exchange for the occasional Hoyo de Monterrey ("...harvested by bold men and tenderly rolled by beautiful women on the sunny, fertile banks of the Rio San Juan y Martínez", as Franz has learnt).Franz meets a girl, the political situation worsens, there is an Anschluss, Otto is arrested by the Gestapo, and various other bad things happen, also more or less as we would expect. What we perhaps don't quite expect so much is the cleverly indirect way that Franz's talks with Freud lead him to discover more about himself, and incidentally to come up with an ingenious marketing strategy exploiting the subconscious to get customers into the shop...An entertaining, competent and intelligent historical novel, with some nice bits of descriptive writing and a few really good scenes, but let down by a rather too predictable plot and a little bit of clumsiness in balancing the different threads of the plot. And at least one puzzling anachronism (in a newspaper report that's only relevant to the story as background colour, Hitler, in early 1938, is said to be inspecting an Atombunker). Worth a look, probably, but all routine stuff compared to Ein ganzes Leben.

[wassilissa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1937 kommt der junge Franz vom Land nach Wien um in einer Trafik zu arbeiten. Der zunächst einfache und naive Junge erfährt immer mehr Dinge, die ihn beschäftigen und belasten. Er lernt Sigmund Freud kennen, verliebt sich in eine Variete-Tänzerin, erlebt den Aufstig der Nazis. trotz oder wegen seiner offensichtlichen Unschuld und Naivität gelingt es ihm nicht, diese Zeit heil zu überstehen. Ein ruhiges Buch, schön geschrieben, gut zu lesen. Die Figuren sind ausgezeichnet, obwohl der Autor in diesem dünnen Büchlein eigentlich nicht viel Raum hat, sie zu entwickeln.