Overview

In this captivating memoir, the author embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover her family's hidden history during the Holocaust while pursuing Austrian citizenship. As Austria opens the door to reparation citizenship for descendants of those victimized by the Nazi and Austrofascist regimes, Anne digs through fragments of family stories and documents to trace her Austrian and Czechoslovakian roots. Through her search, she pieces together the story her ancestors withheld from their children after World War II, while reflecting on identity, migration, and heritage. Navigating the bureaucratic process of gaining citizenship, this journey becomes much more than just a legal pursuit. It transforms into a reflection on memory, loss, and resilience, culminating in the celebration of legacies both long buried and still cherished. Along the way, she confronts the silences and gaps in her family's past, grappling with the weight of history and its impact on future generations. This story is a heartfelt meditation on the intersection of personal and shared history, and a joyful tribute to the power of remembering and belonging. This memoir stands out as a unique and contemporary story, offering a fresh perspective on historical reparations and the ongoing quest for identity in a rapidly changing world. By blending personal narrative with a modern-day journey through citizenship laws and collective memory, it highlights the enduring influence of history on modern life. It is a timely, thoughtful exploration of what it means to reclaim a lost heritage and gain a new place in today's world.

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9789493322974

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Reviews

""Anne Hand's book is a heartfelt story about the impact of the Holocaust, the strength of the human spirit, and the quest to rediscover her family roots. She shares her loving memory of her grandfather, an immigrant from Vienna, whom she only knew when she was a child but whose fate nevertheless is part of her own identity. She takes us on a journey as she traces the connections to her family's Austrian origins and ultimately regains Austrian citizenship herself. I've had the incredible privilege of spending 30 years listening to the profoundly moving stories of survivors and their families. Anne Hand's story has touched my heart so deeply, especially when she speaks of the little things, the fragments of the old world that lived on in her family - as in so many other survivor families: Her grandfather's gentle accent, his love of classical music, his Wiener Schnitzel, or when decades after coming to the US he still said, ""Ich komme aus Wien. [I come from Vienna.]."" Anne is a truly inspiring voice of the third generation, and she beautifully describes the perspective of the grandchildren of survivors. These grandchildren continue to carry the traces of their forebears' history in their hearts, and they know that if their grandparents had not managed to escape, they 'never would have existed, never would have been born.' Austrian Again is a powerful testament to the deep connection we all have to what we perceive as home, and it's a thoughtful reflection about the experience of exile and dealing with and healing from the wounds of the past."" -Hannah M. Lessing, Managing Director, National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism ""In her exquisite work, Anne Hand invites us to join her on a poignant journey as she seeks to reclaim the Austrian citizenship once held by her grandparents. With gentle prose and heartfelt introspection, she delves into a box of family photographs, letters, and passports, gradually uncovering the untold stories of bigotry and hatred that her Jewish family endured. These were stories her parents and grandparents chose to shield from her. The book serves as a profound meditation on the memories retained by those who survived the Shoah and the centuries of antisemitism that preceded it. It reflects upon the delicate balance of deciding which of these remembrances to pass to younger generations, as they forge new lives in America. Anne's empowering exploration of what lies beneath the surface of such stories in search of a fuller understanding of her family history, brings her face to face with the deep-seated origins of one of humanity's oldest hatreds and the violence it has continually sparked. With grace and empathy, Anne underscores the timeless importance of understanding this profound evil - a necessity that remains as pressing for her generation in America as it was for her grandfather Max when he departed from Vienna."" -Fernando M. Reimers, Ford Foundation Professor of the Practice of International Education, Harvard University ""Anne Hand's heartfelt memoir deftly captures the emotional journey she undertook to bring her family's Austrian Jewish past into the present."" -Lisa D. Silverman, Professor of History and Jewish Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and author of Becoming Austrians: Jews and Culture Between the World Wars ""Austrian Again is a moving personal story that tells the experience of persecuted peoples and the complicated inheritances they leave behind. A beautifully crafted meditation on family legacy, hidden trauma and the promise of America."" -Timothy J. Nelson, Lecturer in Sociology and Public Policy, Princeton University

Author Information

Anne Hand was born in 1985 in New York. Her grandmother was a librarian, and she grew up attached to the power of the written word. Her love of books and the worlds they transported her to have always fueled her desire to make change in the world. Anne has spent her career blending research, policy, and practice to create social impact across the Americas and beyond. She is a recognized expert in global education and development, frequently publishing on topics related to technology and social impact. She holds a B.Sc. from McGill University and an Ed.M. from Harvard University.

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