Undine

<em>Undine</em> is a novel by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, written in the early 19th century, that tells the story of a water spirit named Undine who marries a knight, Huldbrand, in her quest to obtain a soul. This early German romance has been influential in the literary world, inspiring two operas and two ballets. Notably, it has been recognized as a quintessential fairytale, with George MacDonald deeming it the most beautiful of its kind. The novel has been translated into multiple languages and features illustrations by Arthur Rackham.