Die Schwestern: Drei Novellen

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21535

Title

Die Schwestern: Drei Novellen

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in medieval Spain and 19th-century France, this collection explores the depths of human passion, faith, and morality. Through three distinct novellas, Wassermann crafts a haunting narrative of supernatural intuition, tragic innocence, and the psychological unraveling of those caught between divine grace and earthly corruption.

Summary up to 500 words

Jakob Wassermann's *Die Schwestern: Drei Novellen* is a profound collection exploring the collision of spiritual idealism with the harsh realities of human passion, political intrigue, and judicial corruption. The title suggests a thematic unity of female figures navigating destiny, though the narratives span different eras and settings. The opening novella, *Donna Johanna von Castilien*, transports the reader to 16th-century Spain. Princess Johanna is born under ominous signs, possessing a cold, supernatural detachment and a deep aversion to the mundane world. Haunted by visions and marked by a mysterious birthmark, she is sent to a convent before being forced into a political marriage with the Prince of Austria. The union is a disaster; Johanna views it as a violation of her spiritual purity, while her husband succumbs to jealousy and intrigue. The story delves into the intense tension between rigid religious dogma and mystical personal desire, culminating in Johanna's tragic fate as she struggles against a destiny she cannot control. The second story, *Sara Malcolm*, shifts to 19th-century London. Condemned to death for theft while pregnant, Sara finds unexpected solace and redemption within the prison walls. Despite her impending execution, she forms a profound bond with Chambers, a fellow condemned murderer. In a moment of transcendent grace, she shares her final prayers with him before being led to the gallows. Her death is portrayed not as a punishment, but as a spiritual ascent, leaving a lasting impression of sanctity on the hardened criminals and the public, suggesting that true humanity often flourishes in the darkest circumstances. The final novella, *Clarissa Mirabel*, takes place in the French town of Rhodez. The narrative begins with the mysterious drowning of a wealthy advocate, Fualdes. Suspicion falls on his nephew, Bastide Grammont, who is subsequently arrested and imprisoned. Clarissa, Bastide's lover, visits him in jail, bringing him fruit and expressing her guilt over her role in his downfall. Overwhelmed by despair and the weight of her actions, she attempts suicide by cutting her wrists. Meanwhile, Bastide suffers from nightmares where Clarissa appears as a seductive, accusing figure. The story concludes with a somber reflection on the fragility of truth, the corruption of justice, and the destructive power of passion, leaving the fate of the characters hanging in a complex web of guilt and innocence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Fiction