Ten Green Bottles (book)
Encyclopedia
Ten Green Bottles is a book by Vivian Jeanette Kaplan and a play based on the book. It is the true story of a Jewish family that escaped from Nazi-occupied Vienna
to Shanghai
under Japanese rule.
The award-winning book was published in English in Canada and in the U.S. by St. Martin's Press (2004, ISBN 9780312330545) and has been republished in Germany (Von Wien nach Shanghai), Italy (Dieci Bottiglie Verdi) and Hungary (Sanghaji Fogsag). In addition, a Braille and three audio versions for the blind and physically handicapped have been created. In Canada it won the Canadian Jewish Book Award and in Italy won the ADEI (Associazione Donne Ebree d'Italia) - WIZO Award.
The title of the book comes from the song
sung in Marco's Bar by British servicemen stationed in Shanghai.
in 1921. She comes from an upper middle-class family. The book starts with the birth of Nini's brother, Willi, and chronicles the death of Nini's father shortly after the birth. The book then discusses day to day life in Vienna from the viewpoint of a Jewish girl growing up in Vienna. It talks about the political instability caused after the assassination of Engelbert Dollfuss
and the suppression of democracy after it. In Chapter 10, 1938, the Anschluss
occurs, and Nini desperately tries to secure tickets to Shanghai
. She receives help from Herr Berger, a Gentile Vienna lawyer, and obtains tickets not only for her family, but also for her friend's parents. The book then mentions the infamous Kristallnacht
, and the lead up to their departure. In Chapter 19, the Karpel family arrives in Shanghai
, and they struggle to survive through the poverty and violence that greets them on arrival, to the moving of most Jews into a ghetto in the Hongkou District
. During that time, they also purchase ownership in a bar owned by Marco, a Bulgarian Jew; this is where Nini heard the song "Ten Green Bottles". The book ends with the family leaving Shanghai for Richmond Hill
, Canada
.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
under Japanese rule.
The award-winning book was published in English in Canada and in the U.S. by St. Martin's Press (2004, ISBN 9780312330545) and has been republished in Germany (Von Wien nach Shanghai), Italy (Dieci Bottiglie Verdi) and Hungary (Sanghaji Fogsag). In addition, a Braille and three audio versions for the blind and physically handicapped have been created. In Canada it won the Canadian Jewish Book Award and in Italy won the ADEI (Associazione Donne Ebree d'Italia) - WIZO Award.
The title of the book comes from the song
Ten Green Bottles
Ten Green Bottles is a song for children that is popular in the United Kingdom. In essence the song is a single verse repeated, each time with one bottle fewer:...
sung in Marco's Bar by British servicemen stationed in Shanghai.
Plot
The book is told from the viewpoint of the author's mother, and starts in 1921. Gerda Karpel (referred to always as Nini in the book) is a 5-year-old Jewish girl living in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in 1921. She comes from an upper middle-class family. The book starts with the birth of Nini's brother, Willi, and chronicles the death of Nini's father shortly after the birth. The book then discusses day to day life in Vienna from the viewpoint of a Jewish girl growing up in Vienna. It talks about the political instability caused after the assassination of Engelbert Dollfuss
Engelbert Dollfuss
Engelbert Dollfuss was an Austrian Christian Social and Patriotic Front statesman. Serving previously as Minister for Forest and Agriculture, he ascended to Federal Chancellor in 1932 in the midst of a crisis for the conservative government...
and the suppression of democracy after it. In Chapter 10, 1938, the Anschluss
Anschluss
The Anschluss , also known as the ', was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938....
occurs, and Nini desperately tries to secure tickets to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. She receives help from Herr Berger, a Gentile Vienna lawyer, and obtains tickets not only for her family, but also for her friend's parents. The book then mentions the infamous Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, and also Reichskristallnacht, Pogromnacht, and Novemberpogrome, was a pogrom or series of attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on 9–10 November 1938.Jewish homes were ransacked, as were shops, towns and...
, and the lead up to their departure. In Chapter 19, the Karpel family arrives in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, and they struggle to survive through the poverty and violence that greets them on arrival, to the moving of most Jews into a ghetto in the Hongkou District
Hongkou District
Hongkou District is a northern district of Shanghai proper, People's Republic of China. It has a land area of and population of 799,700 as of 2001.It is the location of the Astor House Hotel, Broadway Mansions, Lu Xun Park and the Lu Xun memorial....
. During that time, they also purchase ownership in a bar owned by Marco, a Bulgarian Jew; this is where Nini heard the song "Ten Green Bottles". The book ends with the family leaving Shanghai for Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Reviews
There have been several critical reviews worldwide of the book, which have all spoken highly of it. Some of the North American reviews include the following comments:- "Ten Green Bottles is an instant classic. It is a great, great book." - Flint Journal
- "Spellbinding...evocative...remarkable achievement." - Publishers Weekly
- "Riveting...moving and memorable." - Kirkus Reviews
- "Beautifully composed and engrossing memoir." - Library Journal
- "Remarkably vivid and richly detailed." - Booklist
- "Beautifully told story. Glistened with the spirit of life." - San Diego Jewish Times
- "Kaplan's prose is simply stunning." - Canadian Jewish News
- "Kaplan's present tense narrative is so immediate the pages keep turning as if this were a fictional thriller." - Copley News Service
- "Emotional power and vivid immediacy." - Maclean's
- "Powerful harrowing story grips the reader." - Ottawa Citizen