My Century

Author: Günter Grass
Translator: Cai Hongjun
Germany/Germany
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-09-01
Features: I, replaced my, every year has to appear. Not always in the front row, because we people like to retreat to the rear. But when we went to fight the Chinese back then, our company paraded in Bremerhaven, and I stood in the front of the middle formation. Almost everyone was voluntary, Straubin was the only one who signed up, although I had just recently engaged to Lesley, my Theresa. We lined up to wait for the ship, our backs to the North German Shipping Company's ocean liner, facing the sun. On a high platform in front of us, the Emperor spoke passionately, his voice passing over our heads. The new-style broad-brimmed sailor hats helped shade us from the sun and were also called southwest hats. We looked quite handsome. The Emperor wore a custom-made blue helmet with a gleaming eagle on top. He spoke of the important mission and the fierce enemy. His speech captivated everyone. He said, "When you arrive there, remember: do not forgive, do not take prisoners."