Read Alexandre Dumas's Gothic Novel "Castle Eppstein"

Just finished reading Alexandre Dumas's Castle Eppstein--enjoyed the descriptions of dark forests and howling winds on this gusty day in Eppstein. Dumas was one of the first Romantics and published The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, and Castle Eppstein all in 1844. A couple years ago I attended the open-air production of The Three Musketeers against the backdrop of Eppstein Castle, not realizing that Dumas had actually used the romantic ruins for one of his tales--Le Chateau d'Eppstein.

Had it not been for our castle's name in its title, I probably would not have bought the French novel, but reading the Gothic romance with its woman in white, demon lover, tapestries, castle backdrop, and storms at night was addictive (kept going back for more over the course of my busy day).

Although Dumas obviously was not that familiar with the area and just used Eppstein for a German setting, it was fun to pick up on some of his Eppstein allusions. He mentions the Taunus Mountains several times, nearby Frankfurt, and the Main River (which he puts much closer to the castle than it actually is). His young hero's name is Everhard, which calls to mind Eppstein's 11th-century legendary founder, Eberhard. Dumas's minor character, Bertha, reminds us Eppsteiners of Bertha from Bremthal, who was allegedly rescued by the castle's founder from a giant's net.

If you are in the area, Alexandre Dumas's novel of "romance and horror" makes for a complementary, entertaining read.