The Dwarf of Westerbourg
Christian Heinrich Spiess. Snuggly, $19.95 trade paper (298p) ISBN 978-1-64525-049-4
This overlooked gothic gem from Spiess (1755–1799), set in the mid–13th century and alternating between prose and dramatic formats, depicts the dangers of unchecked passion. Little Peter, a spirit of unknown origin and skill, is bound to the German Knight Rodolphe of Westerbourg by supernatural forces and accompanies him on his far-flung travels as counselor, servant, and frequent savior. Wandering from Germany across Europe and into the Middle East, Rodolphe falls in love with a string of women and has a series of affairs that universally end in tragedy: Regina, Agnes, Euphrosina, and the nun Mary all die; Clara is locked in a tower where Rodolphe will never see her again. When Little Peter is no longer able to help Rodolphe enact his increasingly desperate desires, Rodolphe turns to a much darker spirit for aid. It’s easy to see how Rodolphe’s page-turning adventures, first published in 1791, influenced the works that came after it, notably Matthew Lewis’s The Monk. This is a valuable reprint for any reader with an interest in the history of gothicism. (Nov.)
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Reviewed on: 09/04/2020
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror