I'm glad that someone mentioned it as there was nothing in the title that would have drawn my attention to be sure and read it. I actually saw a film version of that short story, oh it must be at least 30 years ago. The name O'Connor meant nothing to me, nor the title Guest of the Nation, but I was only partially through reading it just today when it all came back to me. When I saw that on television so long ago, I am certain that it aired on public television here but was British (or maybe Irish) made, it stayed on my mind for weeks. The end scene with 'Awkins pleading that he'll change sides if that's what it will take, he just wants to live, hard to read and it was harder to watch dramatized.


I really also like The Paragon. I was expecting something of a predictable ending, but found something much more reflective of real life.