What the book says...
After one of their own people repeatedly fails to live up to a pact with the Devil, a petty and morally bankrupt village community is plagued by a swarm of deadly black spiders. Using a complex narrative structure, Gotthelf's cautionary novella shrewdly dissects the iniquitous social dynamics of rural life. First published in 1842, The Black Spider displays its author's talent for dark satire and realism, as well as the visionary powers of his imagination. Jeremias Gotthelf (1797-1854) was a Swiss pastor whose works were heavily influenced by both his faith - as he considered his writings to be another way to cure souls - and the Bernese countryside, the setting of most of his books.
What the critics say...
"I admire The Black Spider like almost no other piece of world literature." Thomas Mannwhat you say...
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Written in the 1850's this is a cautionary story warning against self-indulgence, greed and arrogance that will have even the most ardent readers itching and looking around for the malicious black spider of the title as soon as it appears on the page. Facing destruction and ruin, the villagers are tricked into making a pact with the green huntsman, but unable to deliver on their side of the bargain the devil unleashes a truly horrifying and deadly visitor on them all. Killing all it comes into contact with from lowly villager to the highest Knight and feudal Lord, the spider grows with malevolence at every-turn and it is only the truly god-fearing among them that are able to survive or are awarded hero’s deaths. Beautifully written, this wonderful satire is as relevant today as it was 150 years ago. (Posted on 13/03/2012)Maxine
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