Herr Mommsen's life was spared thirty-five years ago during World War II when a priest voluntarily took his place before a military firing squad. Now, when the incident is suddenly revealed, he finds himself bombarded with questions from journalists and others about "how it felt" to be the beneficiary of the sacrifice and about the difference it has made in his life. Barbara Konig's delicately ironic novel reveals what happens when the unremarkable Mommsen, who has never considered these issues or his life very closely, is forced to examine his ordinary existence in the context of this extraordinary event.