Hardcover, 255 pages
German language
Published Jan. 1, 1981 by Thienemann Verlag.
In seventeenth-century Germany, a boy desperately wants to escape from a school for Black Magic where he is held captive by demonic forces.
Sehr nett; nichts Besonderes, aber es liest sich gut durch, die Geschichten sind spannend und scheinen wohl durchdacht, und das ganze endet schließlich in Wohlgefallen. Als Kind hätte ich mich sicherlich zu Tode gegruselt, aber als Erwachsener hat es viel Spaß gemacht.
I was sad to learn that [a:Otfried Preußler|127314|Otfried Preußler|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1230114170p2/127314.jpg] died this year, so I felt like rereading [b:Krabat|472626|Krabat|Otfried Preußler|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334151882s/472626.jpg|675181], which is one of my favourite books. It is a fine piece of story telling that turned a 17th century Sorbian tale into a dark, mystical adventure which is probably best read by torch light under a blanket.
The book's language and the way in which the story is told make it appear much older than it actually is, which adds to the book's mystical atmosphere. I particularly like about the story, that Preußler does not explain things to death when it comes to the mill and the story of it's inhabitants, but leaves a lot to the imagination of the reader.
I read this in a few hours when I was 12 or so and the rating if five stars is how I remember feeling after reading it. I don't think it would hold up on a re-read. But back then I got really into the book and I think for that age group it still can be a great book.
