Die Judenbuche

Annette von Droste-Hülshoff was born on 10th January 1797 in Hülshoff, Westphalia, Germany into an aristocratic, roman-catholic family. She lived in the castle, which had been in the family for 400 years and was educated at home with her brothers and sister. Despite being from a noble background she often mixed with the farmers and peasants of Westphalia. As a child Droste listened to readings of Shakespeare, Cervantes, Voltaire, Swift and Scott who later influenced her when she began writing.
Droste had poor health and was often very sick, which was made worse in 1826 and 1829 when her father and favourite brother died. After her father’s death, Droste and her mother moved frequently, sometimes staying in Bonn, Cologne, Coblenz or with her sister in Meersburg.
In 1830 Droste was introduced to Levin Schücking, he was 17 years younger than her and wrote literature. Droste formed a close relationship with him and became to love him, but her feelings were never returned. From 1...