Robert Seethaler's novel The Tobacconist Huchel is about a young man who resides in a small Austrian village but relocates to Vienna. Franz works as a novice worker in a tobacco shop in Vienna. He becomes more proficient at selling tobacco because of his interactions with people from different backgrounds. One day, Franz encounters the renowned psychologist Dr. Sigmund Freud in the shop. Their frequent meetings quickly turned into a strong friendship. Under Freud's guidance, he gains a fresh perspective on the world and explores things he never knew existed.
Franz decides to explore Vienna and meets a beautiful woman who works as a dancer in a bar. He experiences the infatuation for the first time, but he forgets to ask her name. He confides in Freud about his encounters and seeks advice on how to find that young woman. As the Nazi occupation looms over Austria, Vienna descends into a state of unimaginable chaos and turmoil. The city also goes through a lot of turmoil and changes, and Otto, the shop owner, faces racism from his neighbors and vandalism. Franz's life becomes filled with uncertainty and danger. Amidst all this, he meets Anezka, the dancer, again and shares his feelings, but she disappears after one night.
In the end, Franz's uncle Otto tragically loses his life while in Gestapo custody. Franz breaks into Gestapo headquarters and replaces the Nazi flag with Israel's flag out of anger. He also leaves his uncle's one-legged trousers to show his defiance. The Tobacconist tells of the journey of Franz, a young boy who navigates the complexities of life and relationships. The writer beautifully portrays the friendship between two people of different age groups. His character undergoes a profound transformation as he confronts the diverse circumstances of pre-war Vienna, finding enlightenment through Freud's guidance.
