The Manuscript Found in Saragossa

Summary

«The Manuscript Found in Saragossa» is a novel by Jan Potocki, featuring a complex narrative composed of numerous interwoven stories. The main character, Alphonse van Worden, a young officer of the Walloon Guard, travels through the Sierra Morena in Spain. He stops at an abandoned house where he encounters two mysterious women who claim to be his cousins and attempt to seduce him. Over the next ten days, Alphonse experiences various strange and supernatural events, including encounters with ghosts, inquisitors, bandits, and Kabbalists. Each encounter leads to a new story, creating a complex web of narratives that explore themes of fate, faith, and human nature. Ultimately, Alphonse discovers that all his trials were part of a test of his loyalty and courage, orchestrated by his grandfather.