Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Good vs Evil Theme: The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf

Albert Bitzius (4 October 1797 – 22 October 1854) was a Swiss (German) novelist, best known by his pen name of Jeremias Gotthelf.

His best known work is without doubt the short novel The Black Spider (Die schwarze Spinne), a semi-allegorical tale of the plague in form of the titular monster that devastates a Swiss valley community; first as a result of a pact with the devil born out of need and a second time due to the moral decay that releases the monster from its prison again. (108 pages)

I read this book last year and enjoyed it.
The story of The Black Spider is told by one of the people at a Baptism in a small village, so there are basically three parts to the story.
Part 1- preparations for the Baptism and Baptism of the child
Part 2 - the story, set in the past, told at the celebration
Part 3 - continuation of Baptism related events

Started reading the introduction today of The Black Spider it is translated by HM Waidson who was a Professor of German, at Swansea University and translated many books from German and Swiss literature.

He describes Gotthelf as a Swiss Pastor who was indifferent to theoretical theology.

In 1949 Thomas Mann described it: barely any work he admired more.

I decided not to read anymore of the intro as it seemed to get into details of the Novel.

That was probably a good idea, Lesle. I really liked it.

I enjoyed the Black Spider tale told by the grandfather, but the way the story was pushed as a heavy-handed religious moral tale was offputting to me.

The moral aspects were typical of that author. I have read some of his other works, and they have a similar message.

The actual tale of the Black Spider is very engrossing and dramatic.

Rosemarie wrote: "The moral aspects were typical of that author. I have read some of his other works, and they have a similar message.

The actual tale of the Black Spider is very engrossing and dramatic."

I agree that the actual tale of the Black Spider was excellent, and I laughed at the part about the food ("Oh no, I couldn't eat another bite." "I know it's a poor excuse for a meal, but eat more anyway.")

The Grandfather telling is what makes the story, I think.
The Spider is a bit much for me.
I didn't mind the Religious aspect, of course I never like the Devil being involved, you never gain from a deal with him.

Lesle wrote: "The Grandfather telling is what makes the story, I think.
The Spider is a bit much for me.
I didn't mind the Religious aspect, of course I never like the Devil being involved, you never gain from..."

Too creepy for me!

Shhh dont tell, I actually skipped a few creepy lines! lol

I read the whole thing and agree--it was creepy!🕷

Rosemarie wrote: "I read the whole thing and agree--it was creepy!🕷"

He was a generally creepy author.

Lesle wrote: "Shhh dont tell, I actually skipped a few creepy lines! lol"

Good for you :-). I did too but it made the questions on the comp exam on the novel much harder.

It was like turning my head and closing my eyes during some movie scenes that I know is coming that I cant handle to watch!

Oh Im sure it did make it hard to answer those questions!

Lesle wrote: "It was like turning my head and closing my eyes during some movie scenes that I know is coming that I cant handle to watch!

Oh Im sure it did make it hard to answer those questions!"

That it did!