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The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf

I don’t know why I decided to read this book. I was just bored, looking for something interesting and it popped up on my search. After having read it, I’m glad that I gave it a chance!

This novel is set in an older time period and begins with the baptism of a baby boy. Everyone is joyful and eagerly celebrating the baby’s birth when someone points out that the house contains a black wooden pole and inquires about it. The Grandfather, the eldest family member there then begins to recount the story that led to the presence of this pole – and the Evil that is trapped within it.

This story reads like a true classic and focuses on the importance of being good and following the will of God. It is a Christian/Catholic novel in a sense with strong biblical parallels but it was a good read nevertheless. I have never been one to push away a book steeped in religion because I find that, even if it describes a completely different religion than my own, the morals and values that it propagates are applicable to all. The story was also quite chilling in that it spared no detail of what can happen when one is tainted by sin. I honestly could not put this book down and would recommend it to anyone who wants a short read that will get you in the philosophical mood.

Happy reading ~