The Black Spider
by Jeremias Gotthelf
After one of their own people repeatedly fails to live up to a pact with the Devil, a petty and morally backrupt village community is plagued by a swarm of deadly black spiders. Using a complex narrative structure, Gotthelf's cautionary novella shrewdly dissects teh 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 visionay powers of his imagination.Translated by H. M. Waidson