A slightly long question. Escuse pliss.
X is a prisoner of the Nazis. While doing hard labour in a makeshift military hospital for wounded German soldiers, he is summoned to the bedside of a man swathed in bandages. The man asks if X is a Jew, and when X says yes, the injured man reveals that he is a member of the dreaded SS. He confesses to taking part in a mass killing in a horrific manner of two hundred Jews. He then asks for forgiveness from X. X listens to the soldier but leaves the room without a reply.
X recounts this incident in a bestselling book and opens up his action (of refusing forgiveness to a dying man) to scrutiny by readers. Many, including the likes of Gunter Grass, Charlie Chaplin, Arthur Miller, reply. The book is still used to discuss the morality of vengeance and forgiveness.
X and the book please.
The Sunflower - can't remember author.
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