Friedrich Heinrich Karl Freiherr de La Motte-Fouque

Friedrich Heinrich Karl Freiherr de La Motte-Fouque
Friedrich Heinrich Karl Freiherr de La Motte-Fouqué (1777–1843) was a German Romantic writer known for his works that combined chivalric themes with supernatural elements. His most famous work is the novella "Undine" (1811), a tale about a water nymph who marries a knight to gain a soul. Fouqué was a prolific author who also wrote plays, poems, and novels, many of which dealt with medieval and mythological themes. Although widely popular during his lifetime, his reputation declined after his death, and today he is mostly remembered for "Undine."

Author's Books:


CHAPTER I. A Mild summer evening was resting on the shores of Malaga, awakening the guitar of many a merry singer among the ships in the harbor, and in the city houses, and in many an ornamental garden villa. Emulating the voices of the birds, the melodious tones greeted the refreshing coolness, and floated like perfumed exhalations from meadow and water, over the enchanting region. Some troops of... more...

CHAPTER I. Many years ago there lived in the island of Fuhnen a noble knight, called Froda, the friend of the Skalds, who was so named because he not only offered free hospitality in his fair castle to every renowned and noble bard, but likewise strove with all his might to discover those ancient songs, and tales, and legends which, in Runic writings or elsewhere, were still to be found; he had even... more...

Introduction Four tales are, it is said, intended by the Author to be appropriate to the Four Seasons: the stern, grave "Sintram", to winter; the tearful, smiling, fresh "Undine", to Spring; the torrid deserts of the "Two Captains", to summer; and the sunset gold of "Aslauga's Knight", to autumn. Of these two are before us. The author of these tales, as well as of... more...

CHAPTER 1 On a beautiful evening, many hundred years ago, a worthy old fisherman sat mending his nets. The spot where he dwelt was exceedingly picturesque. The green turf on which he had built his cottage ran far out into a great lake; and this slip of verdure appeared to stretch into it as much through love of its clear waters as the lake, moved by a like impulse, strove to fold the meadow, with its... more...