Undine by Friedrich Heinrich Karl

First published in 1811, Undine stands among the most beloved tales of German Romanticism: the story of a water spirit whose marriage to a mortal knight brings her the soul she longs for, and the sorrow that follows. Here it is offered in its complete, unabridged original text, newly introduced and accompanied by reader's notes that illuminate its folklore sources, its place in the Romantic movement, and its lasting influence on literature, music, and retellings from Andersen's Little Mermaid onward. Whether you are returning to a childhood favorite or discovering Fouqué's luminous prose for the first time, this edition invites you into a world where forest streams hold spirits, knights wander through storms, and love carries both wonder and grief. Part of The Founding Texts Library.