With surgical precision, Francis Huster attempts to unravel the mystery of Stefan Zweig through a meticulous autopsy of his life—from Vienna to New York, from Paris to Rio, from Berlin to London. In delving into the most secret corners of the writer’s soul, Huster believes he has uncovered the true reason behind Zweig’s tragic final act and the deeper nature of this brilliant author.
Zweig, he claims, took his own life to punish himself for what he saw as an unforgivable sin: betraying his people—the Jewish people. He tried to pass as a pure, assimilated Austrian. He did not use his global fame to denounce Hitler, even though he could have. Zweig felt consumed by guilt. And ended his life as a form of penance for his silence…