You Could Lose an Eye

Overview

A fond and funny memoir, this account of a Jewish immigrant household in Montreal traces the family’s journey from wretched oppression to middle class comfort. Arriving Canada in the early 1920s, they struggle to learn two new languages and adapt to a new political, economic, and not always welcoming social culture. It recounts how, undeterred, Ma establishes her dynasty at home and Pa builds his business, and by the time their son embarks on his architectural career, they are firm believers in freedom and aspiration—and in keeping alive in memory those Jews who were denied such joys.

Reviews

"You will smile and laugh and identify with these stories and this is what one has a right to expect from the written word . . . I must caution that you will want more of the same and David has promised to continue the series." —Aniko Koranyi, past president, Canadian Authors Association

"A sheer delight." —David J. Azrieli, Canadian architect and philanthropist

"A charming 201-page book, providing an insider’s view of Montreal’s vibrant and historic Jewish community, as well as a powerful description of what happened to relatives who were left behind in Eastern Europe. He has graced the publication with many vintage photos and some historical documents . . . There are so many Jewish and Yiddish terms included in the book that Reich included a comprehensive glossary at the end." —Jewish Tribune

"The title sets the stage for the tongue-in-cheek humour that abounds in the book . . . His account of his life up to the time he was in university is filled with warm remembrances that capture the time and place, right down to the way food tasted and how the word ‘cancer’ was never uttered." —Canadian Jewish News

"Jewish mothers worry. . . . As a consequence, the young Reich eschewed danger, even fun, and embraced his true risk-averse nature. [Reich has] a knack for finding things funny. . . . A self-deprecating, warm-hearted book." —Montreal Review of Books (May 1, 2011)

Author Biography

David Reich is a former architect, teacher, artist, and inventor. He lives in Montreal, Quebec.