The Man-Wolf and Other Tales

"The Man-Wolf and Other Tales" by Erckmann-Chatrian is a compilation of spooky stories set in the 1800s that mingles made-up events with real history. It explores ideas such as people losing their minds, legends about werewolves, and what makes people do what they do through narratives. The very first story, shows a young doctor named Fritz being called to a castle where the Count of Nideck is suffering from a strange illness. The old count's sickness seems to get worse when a local witch is said to arrive. Fritz is accompanied by Gideon Sperver, which adds to the suspenseful arrival at a castle filled with family problems, especially between the count and his daughter, Odile. The eerie feeling of the castle and its long history hint at old family curses and madness.