Franz Grillparzer's Das Kloster bei Sendomir (The Monastery at Sendomir) is a compact, powerful novella that packs a centuries-old tragedy into a single, haunting evening.

The Story

The story is a classic frame narrative. A traveler, caught in a storm, finds refuge in the ruins of a monastery near Sendomir. The caretaker, an old man, offers him shelter and, prompted by the traveler's curiosity about the deserted place, agrees to tell its story. He recounts the tale of Count Starschensky, a wealthy nobleman who built the monastery out of guilt and grief. Years before, the Count had married a beautiful woman named Elga, only to become consumed by a jealous suspicion that she was unfaithful with his closest friend. His obsession leads to a horrific act of violence, the consequences of which destroy his family and leave him to build the monastery as a penance. The traveler listens, wrapped in the atmosphere of the decaying walls, and leaves the next morning forever marked by the tale.

Why You Should Read It

Don't let the 19th-century publication date fool you; this story feels incredibly modern in its psychological focus. Grillparzer isn't interested in supernatural scares. The true horror here is internal—the slow, corrosive poison of jealousy and the human capacity for self-deception. The Count isn't a cartoon villain; he's a man tragically unraveled by his own mind. The storytelling is tight and atmospheric. You can almost feel the cold stone of the monastery and hear the storm outside as the old man's voice fills the dark room. It's a masterclass in how setting and mood can become characters themselves.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who love Gothic atmosphere but prefer their chills to come from human drama rather than ghosts. If you enjoyed the tense, psychological unease of stories like Henry James's The Turn of the Screw or the tragic, self-destructive spirals in classic drama, you'll find a lot to love here. It's also a fantastic entry point into classic German literature—it's short, completely gripping, and leaves a lasting impression. A dark, brilliant gem of a story.