Book Type: Classic Novel/Fairytale
Author: Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué,
Pages: 128
Summary(Wikipedia):
Undine is a fairytale novella by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué in which Undine, a water spirit, marries a knight named Huldebrand in order to gain a soul.
My Review:
Classic fairytales are sometimes way different than what we originally expect. However, Undine is a beautiful fairytale romance that reminded me of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid. Her character development shows a sweet young woman with wily ways that are tamed by romance. Undine is a wild water spirit, and when she is first living with her parents, she doesn’t have a soul, meaning she doesn’t feel guilt, love, sadness or other profound emotions. However, once she marries the night Huldebrand, her perspective on life changes. She becomes more docile, sweet, and extremely
generous. I really enjoyed reading how this nymph became more refined and her soul really shone with beauty.
There are other great elements and themes as well, such as beautiful setting descriptions of the countryside and castle. There are moments where Undine’s family causes great floods, and these were described in excellent and foreboding details. Other themes include familial violence, nature’s fury, greed, anger, and the cost of love. My only concern is that some readers may find the antiquated language difficult, but if you remain patient and take your time with this book, I know you will enjoy it!
I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie