Benjamin's Crossing

In the compelling biographical novel adapted by Jay Parini, we follow Walter Benjamin, the German-Jewish critic and philosopher, during his harrowing final days in 1940 as Nazi forces close in on Paris. Armed with only a battered briefcase containing his manuscript, he embarks on a desperate journey to escape to Spain, aided by a young anti-Nazi. Interwoven with reflections on Benjamin's rich past, including his privileged upbringing and connections with prominent intellectuals, the narrative delivers a poignant blend of tragedy and dark comedy while exploring one of the lesser-known yet impactful stories of the Holocaust.