The Spider by Hanns Heinz EwersMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
In the form of a diary, this short tale takes place in a boarding room, where recent residents have repeatedly hung themselves on the curtain cords, a black spider is repeatedly seen exiting the mouths of the victims. A young student decides to debunk this nonsense and persuades the local constabulary to occupy the room, whereby he becomes transfixed by the vision of the nocturnal beauty in the window opposite. She has a strange otherworldly insect-like manner, and is dressed entirely in black, her mesmeric presence completely hypnotises him and he becomes like a puppet, subject to move and gesticulate through the window at her whim. Eventually she manipulates him into hanging himself. Upon discovery a gigantic black spider with livid purple spots is found crushed between his jaws.
Has a decadent vibe to it, and elements of ETA Hoffmann at times. Recommended reading for fans of horror and weird lit.
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