“When religions turn, it’s as if the mountains were rising up…”
The 16th century in Switzerland was marked by the Reformation. And, caught right in the middle of it: the mercenary Hansli Gyr and his neighbor’s daughter Ursula, whose marriage was supposed to be a done deal. But when Hansli comes home from the war, faith has come suddenly between the two. For Ursula has joined the Anabaptists, who, in addition to religious freedom, are also calling for the strict separation of church and state. Hansli for his part is excited about the teachings of the reformer Huldrych Zwingli, who pushes for the persecution of the followers of the Anabaptist movement – many of whom were drowned in the Limmat.
Ursula was originally published as part of the Züricher Novellen (Zurich Novellas) in 1877. The unique illustrations by Zurich artist Hannes Binder add new depth to Keller’s story, drawing the reader straight into the sometimes grotesque, sometimes intoxicating turmoil of the 16th century.
