After one of their own members repeatedly fails to live up to a pact with the Devil, a petty and morally bankrupt village community is terrorized b...
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Sep 05, 2010
Tim
rated it: 
I have a general rule that, once I have started to read a book, I must continue with it to the end before I can claim the right to comment on it.
In the case of 'The Black Spider', I was beginning to get depressed by page 20 of this classic early nineteenth century Swiss horror novella. One fifth of the tale gone and I had been treated to a lengthy, rather dull and wholesome account of a christening feast for the child of a prosperous Swiss peasant circa 1842.
But 'Jeremia More...
In the case of 'The Black Spider', I was beginning to get depressed by page 20 of this classic early nineteenth century Swiss horror novella. One fifth of the tale gone and I had been treated to a lengthy, rather dull and wholesome account of a christening feast for the child of a prosperous Swiss peasant circa 1842.
But 'Jeremia More...
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Nov 28, 2010
Jim
rated it: 
The book is not without its detractors. One Amazon reviewer says that the tale could’ve been told in twenty-five pages. Yes it could but you need to build up to things. How many horror films spend the first few minutes showing how perfect the world is on which they’re about to unleash their own particular embodiment of evil? Gotthelf makes you feel for this nameless, oppressed people. They are not bad people. And that’s the point, they are ordinary people – Gotthelf’s intended audience – but put
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Oct 05, 2011
Scull17
rated it:
The description of the spiders made me itch all over; I kept scratching myself while reading this book: Thank goodness it's a very quick read. It only took me about four hours. The story was very engaging but I was relieved when it finally came to an end because I couldn't possibly go on scratching like a monkey.
The Devil is not very impressive here: a dark, ridiculous waif hiding behind hedges! His manifestation as a swarm of venomous spiders, however, more than makes up for his abs More...
The Devil is not very impressive here: a dark, ridiculous waif hiding behind hedges! His manifestation as a swarm of venomous spiders, however, more than makes up for his abs More...
Jan 17, 2009
Paul
rated it:
The story begins in a Swiss village with preparations for a baptism. The villagers are affluent, indulging in a rich feast before departing for the church. They are keen to observe the social niceties and present themselves in accordance with the mores and customs of their community. After the baptism, they return to the parents' house for more socializing.
While lounging about, an old man tells a story about a window post in the house that looks out of place. It turns out that this p More...
While lounging about, an old man tells a story about a window post in the house that looks out of place. It turns out that this p More...
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Jul 24, 2009
Emily
rated it:
Deliciously creepy little Christian allegory. 21st-century readers will have to ignore all the typically Christian sexism, though, in order to enjoy this imaginative (and magnificently portrayed) tale about a rural Swiss village and what happens to it when the Devil comes to town. Some of Gotthelf's descriptions are not to be missed.
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Jan 26, 2012
Luisa
rated it: 
I generally hate school books, because there mostly boring and dry. So, this book was time-consuming and dry like your body after drinking too much salt water.
Sep 26, 2010
Lotta
rated it:
I saw a stage version of this book a while ago and was surprised by how well they'd caught the spirit of the novella: it was as funny as it was creepy. Plus Swiss High German is funny.
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