The Tobacconist by Robert Seethaler will be featured on the Radio 2 Book Club on Monday 14 November.
The book was selected with the help of a panel made up of Reading Agency and library staff from across the UK.
We have an exclusive extract available for you to read as well as discussion questions for your reading group.
WIN 10 copies of The Tobacconist for your reading group when you visit our Noticeboard!
Find out more about Robert Seethaler in this rare interview.
The Tobacconist
When seventeen-year-old Franz leaves his rural home to take a job as a Viennese tobacconist’s apprentice, his initial homesickness soon fades amidst the fascination of the city. Among the shop’s regular customers is a Professor Freud, whose predilection for cigars and occasional willingness to dispense romantic advice will forge a bond between him and the 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, his employer and Professor Freud entirely changed.
Selection panel review
Our library reading panel loved The Tobacconist – here are some of their comments:
“The novel relates the story of Franz, a young 19 year old sent to Vienna to be the apprentice of elderly tobacconist, Otto Trsnyek. Swallowed up in the hustle of the city Franz soon forgets how homesick he is and befriends eminent neurologist Sigmund Freud. As their friendship deepens the dangers for them both increase. It is an atmospheric novel, beautifully conveying the fears and feelings of the characters and the unrelenting rise of Hitler and his fanaticism. The tension jumps of the pages and the final few pages were unexpected and hugely emotive. Brilliant!”
“A moving book with a lot of charm. The subject matter is the rise of Hitler and the Second World War seen through the eyes of ordinary people. This may seem ground that has been covered before but I feel it has a particular resonance having been written by an Austrian author. There is a smattering of philosophy and psychology (from Sigmund Freud no less) and a dose of cold reality for Franz the country bumpkin in the sophistication of the big city of Vienna and the discovery of love/lust and the rise of evil. He matures; learning the true meaning of marking your mark in this world from his two older mentors Freud and the tobacconist. When others turn away Franz steps up in a gesture of dangerous defiance. Wonderful visual descriptions of the tiniest details and well rounded, involving characters. Really well written haunting book.”
“A naïve young man moves from the countryside to stay and work with his uncle in Vienna. We watch him struggle with society at that time through his naivety but this also gives us a reflection of life. A regular customer of the shop just happens to be Sigmund Freud who offers conversational advice along the way. There is much humour in this novel as we follow the exploits of this befuddled young man. But then Austria is invaded by the Nazis and things turn very dark …I think there is much here for readers to get stuck into, not least whether you follow the flow or make a lonely stand for what is right.”
About the author
Robert Seethaler was born in Vienna and divides his time between his home town and Berlin. He is the author of five novels, including the acclaimed A Whole Life, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. Robert Seethaler also works as an actor, most recently in Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth.
Get involved
Tune in to Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show on Monday 14 November to hear a live interview with Robert Seethaler talking about his book.
Have you read The Tobacconist or A Whole Life? You can share your thoughts with us on Twitter. You can take a look at what other readers thought, or leave your own review.
Want to find out more? Take a look at the Radio 2 Book Club Twitter feed or find out more on the Radio 2 Book Club website.
