Eliska: The Margravine of Zatoransky

This volume is the remarkable record of a visit to a poor region of Bohemia undertaken in the 16th century. The depravity and cruelty of that age is revealed in vivid detail and the atmosphere of lust and power set against the backdrop of sombre dungeons is incredibly well evoked. The eponymous Margravine's enmity towards a local girl and the excesses it leads to make for unforgettable reading.