Originally published for German readers, Friedrich has been acclaimed in both Germany and America. Extreme authorial sensitivity is evident when both German and American readers respond with similar praise to a treatment of the Holocaust by an author who fought in the German Army. Richter attempts to explain why the average German citizen did not rebel against the Holocaust, noting difficult economic times and implying overwhelming odds against success and understandable fear for the safety of loved ones. Unfortunately, he places considerable responsibility for the genocide upon the victims themselves because they did not do the "sensible" thing that Jews have done in the past: flee for their lives. Even when Allied bombs kill Friedrich, the narrator blames Friedrich himself because, after being denied entry to the bomb shelter, he sits outside on the porch during.....
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