"The Legacy" is the new and disturbing novel by Jonathan Littell, about an executioner in an imaginary country in Central Europe.

Jonathan Littell's new novel, "L'Héritage," explores the legacy of his earlier work, "Les Bienveillantes," while addressing contemporary societal issues. The book examines how narratives reflect and refract each other, questioning the connections between characters and their historical counterparts. Littell's previous novel, which depicted the chilling monologue of a former SS officer, remains a monumental influence on literature, prompting discussions about its impact and themes. "L'Héritage" seeks to engage with these themes without directly continuing the story of its predecessor.