Ich war glücklich, ob es regnete oder nicht

"I Was Happy, Whether It Rained or Not" is a captivating collection of life memories by Else Sohn-Rethel, who lived between 1853 and 1933. Edited and commented on by Hans Pleschinski, this work offers a unique insight into the life of a woman from the German-Jewish bourgeoisie. The memoirs are characterized by vivid descriptions of lavish celebrations in cities like Dresden and Düsseldorf, as well as the defining events of the Belle Époque and the Gründerzeit. Else Rethel, who was married to the painter Carl Sohn and came from an artistic family, describes a culturally rich environment frequented by significant artists. At the same time, she addresses the challenges of her time, such as war and cholera, providing a vivid picture of German assimilated Judaism before its destruction. These memoirs are not only a historical document but also a light and cheerful portrait of a bygone era.