The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf
"The Black Spider" is a chilling and haunting tale set in a small Swiss village. It tells the story of a pact made with the devil by the villagers' ancestors, resulting in a curse that manifests in the form of a black spider. As the spider spreads terror and death, the villagers must confront their own sins and grapple with the consequences of their forefathers' actions. This dark and atmospheric novella explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the destructive power of evil.
The 1125th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 458
This book was first published in 1842
4 Lists
- score: 148 -- Horror: The 100 Best Books - 1988 (Weight: 140)
- score: 127 -- The Great Books Podcast from John J. Miller - 2025 (Weight: 120)
- score: 119 -- Fantasy and Horror: A Critical and Historical Guide - 1999 (Weight: 119)
- score: 63 -- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon - 1994 (Weight: 60)