What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Spirit: Ludwig II the 'Mad' King of Bavaria
A B.R.A.G Medallion winner
Born into the royal Wittelsbach family of Bavaria, with its legacy of madness, depression and eccentricity, Ludwig II's extravagant and ruinously expensive building projects, coupled with increasingly aberrant behaviour caused the people of his day to wonder. Was Ludwig mad? Was he a genius? Was he just a lonely man, having looked for and given up on love, seeking for some kind of spiritual fulfilment? Even today, we wonder. What was the impetus behind his compulsion to build? And was he really insane or a victim of his own government's scheming?
Born into the royal Wittelsbach family of Bavaria, with its legacy of madness, depression and eccentricity, Ludwig II's extravagant and ruinously expensive building projects, coupled with increasingly aberrant behaviour caused the people of his day to wonder. Was Ludwig mad? Was he a genius? Was he just a lonely man, having looked for and given up on love, seeking for some kind of spiritual fulfilment? Even today, we wonder. What was the impetus behind his compulsion to build? And was he really insane or a victim of his own government's scheming?
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
13 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Susan Appleyard
16 books13 followersI was born in England where I learned to love English history. Now I live in Canada in the summer with my three children and three grandchildren. In winter I flee the cold for Mexico where I enjoy the sun and sea, restaurants on the beach and Happy Hours with my friends.
I don't think I have a particularly unique writing method. I always write in the mornings in a place where I can work relatively undisturbed. I never read over what I've written until the manuscript is finished so I can approach it with a fresh eye.
I don't think I have a particularly unique writing method. I always write in the mornings in a place where I can work relatively undisturbed. I never read over what I've written until the manuscript is finished so I can approach it with a fresh eye.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 18, 2017
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
'Susan Appleyard tells the story of the last year of Ludwig’s life, skillfully throwing just enough doubt on his case that we wonder whether he really was mad . . . or not.'
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
'Susan Appleyard tells the story of the last year of Ludwig’s life, skillfully throwing just enough doubt on his case that we wonder whether he really was mad . . . or not.'
June 15, 2018
A B.R.A.G Medallion Winner, Dark Spirit is a historical novel detailing the brief 2-year reign and fall of King Ludwig II, otherwise known as the “Mad” King of Bavaria. Readers are gifted with a detailed yet poetic description of the reasons behind the fall of King Ludwig II and all he gave. A sensitive and artistic loving man who gives the world, to this day, riches that go well beyond what the nearsighted men of 1885-1886 realized.
King Ludwig II held a great passion for Bavaria and the fine arts. Bankrupting his country and his kingdom, it fell to a handful of experienced men to remove King Ludwig II to reestablish financial stability. The steps they took and the dreadful outcome are outlined here by Susan Appleyard.
Appleyard weaves a strong story of King Ludwig II, captivating her readers with insightful knowledge and supposition. Appleyard provides an opportunity for the reader to decide whether the King was a madman or a dreamer who in the midst of accomplishing his dreams is forced to stop.
Appleyard weaves strong stories about historical figures and occurrences with ease, her ability to connect her readers with the characters is flawless. She builds her characters with care, giving them a depth that transcends paper making them more realistic than a history book could. This is the third book of Ms. Appleyard’s I have read; she brings history alive for her readers.
King Ludwig II held a great passion for Bavaria and the fine arts. Bankrupting his country and his kingdom, it fell to a handful of experienced men to remove King Ludwig II to reestablish financial stability. The steps they took and the dreadful outcome are outlined here by Susan Appleyard.
Appleyard weaves a strong story of King Ludwig II, captivating her readers with insightful knowledge and supposition. Appleyard provides an opportunity for the reader to decide whether the King was a madman or a dreamer who in the midst of accomplishing his dreams is forced to stop.
Appleyard weaves strong stories about historical figures and occurrences with ease, her ability to connect her readers with the characters is flawless. She builds her characters with care, giving them a depth that transcends paper making them more realistic than a history book could. This is the third book of Ms. Appleyard’s I have read; she brings history alive for her readers.
May 23, 2019
A novelized story of the last days of Ludwig's life
This book doesn't cover Ludwig's full life in detail, but is an enjoyable quick read. I found it to be like watching a television portrayal, focusing on the time that Ludwig's deposition is being planned by his enemies and journeying to the past through his memories. It gives a sense of what the king may have felt and believed and about his passion for Bavaria and for building. A great book to read before visiting Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
This book doesn't cover Ludwig's full life in detail, but is an enjoyable quick read. I found it to be like watching a television portrayal, focusing on the time that Ludwig's deposition is being planned by his enemies and journeying to the past through his memories. It gives a sense of what the king may have felt and believed and about his passion for Bavaria and for building. A great book to read before visiting Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
August 21, 2025
Liked to read a book about Ludwig II in the week I visited Neuschwanstein castle. This story provided me with some context, although it’s a fiction story.
I found this read enjoyable, but wondered often about more details. I would have loved to read more from the point of view of Ludwig II and how he thought and felt. This short story is told from many point of views (from people around the king) that made it interesting and also a bit scattered.
I found this read enjoyable, but wondered often about more details. I would have loved to read more from the point of view of Ludwig II and how he thought and felt. This short story is told from many point of views (from people around the king) that made it interesting and also a bit scattered.
September 25, 2017
Dark Spirit by Susan Appleyard has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"An enjoyable read, with vivid description that gets you inside the head of King Ludvig II of Bavaria, and of the people, and events that surrounds his majesty."
"The ending was fascinating if not totally satisfying."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"An enjoyable read, with vivid description that gets you inside the head of King Ludvig II of Bavaria, and of the people, and events that surrounds his majesty."
"The ending was fascinating if not totally satisfying."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
July 9, 2017
Coming soon . . .
October 10, 2017
We are proud to announce that DARK SPIRIT by Susan Appleyard is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
January 29, 2024
"Am I mad? And is the world sane? Oh, then let me be mad."
Great book, brought Ludwig II to life.
Great book, brought Ludwig II to life.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews