Tragic end

Stephen McGinty writing of Mark Smith's book and research into the life of Hershl Sperling (your report, 23 June) searches for an explanation of his taking his own life. Hershl Sperling was following a well-worn path, sadly. Prominent survivors such as Jean Amery and Primo Levi also ended their own lives.

While every prisoner in any of the camps is and remains a victim, those unfortunates who agreed to work in any way with the authorities, as it is indicated Hershl Sperling did, had the benefit of a much higher chance of survival as a result of their privileges, but also a much higher burden of survivor guilt.

Primo Levi wrote that he felt that "the best had perished and the worst had survived". Like Hershl Sperling, he had worked and received privileges, in his case in a camp laboratory. This perhaps provides more than a clue to Ershl Sperling's actions.

SIMON DESSAIN

Arbroath

Angus