Haunted Waters [Hardcover]

Mary Pope Osborne (Author), Angela Barrett (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 1994

In a retelling of the legend of Undine, Lord Huldbrand falls madly in love with a beautiful woman who enjoys swimming at midnight and listening to the fish, but he begins to be afraid of her mysterious past, her mystical powers, and a strange demon.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the opening of this sweepingly romantic novel, its hero, the dashing Lord Huldebrand of Ringstetten, strays off the beaten path as he travels through an ancient forest, only to find himself spurred on by otherworldly forces. So, too, will readers surrender to the irresistible momentum of Osborne's (Mermaid Tales from Around the World) lush narrative, which was inspired by a German fairy tale written by the Baron de la Motte-Fouque in the early 19th century. Huldebrand takes refuge with an elderly fisherman and his mad wife, who turn out to have a spellbindingly beautiful daughter, the guileless Undine. As storms and floods prevent Huldebrand from resuming his journey, he and Undine fall in love; a shipwrecked priest miraculously washes up on the fisherman's shores and performs their marriage ceremony. The newlyweds return to Huldebrand's castle, but their happiness is clouded as evidence quickly mounts that Undine is not mortal but a creature of the sea kingdom. The gifted author unfolds her tale so that its developments seem both inevitable and wholly surprising. She chooses details elegantly and economically, using just a few descriptive phrases to evoke a sumptuously imagined chivalric age. Lustrous as a pearl. Ages 12-15.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-The story of Undine, the water sprite who marries a human, has been popular since first written in the mid-19th century by Friedrich de la Motte-Fouque. It was the basis for two operas and for Giraudoux's comic drama, Ondine. Osborne rewrites the appealing tale, taking full advantage of its gothic potential. Frightened as he travels through the woods, the knight Lord Huldbrand finds the hut of a hospitable fisherman, his wife, and their mercurial, foundling daughter, Undine. He is trapped by a sudden violent storm and stays with the family until a priest mysteriously washes up near their door and marries Undine and her knight. Though truly in love, theirs is a mixed marriage between a nature child and a man of elaborate civilization, and it is destined for trouble. Water both controls and is controlled by Undine, who ultimately leaves her human form to return to her aquatic home. Huldbrand, who cannot resist the pull of her love, is doomed. While it deviates a bit from the translated original, Osborne's story is certainly faithful to its overwrought romanticism. This should find some readers from the ranks of both fantasy and romance fans.
Sally Margolis, Deerfield Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1st edition (September 5, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156402119X
• ISBN-13: 978-1564021199
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,664,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I'm one of those very lucky people who absolutely loves what they do for a living. There is no career better suited to my eccentricities, strengths, and passions than that of a children's book author."--Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the popular Magic Tree House series. She works with her husband Will and her sister Natalie on the nonfiction companion series, Magic Tree House Research Guides. Many of her books have been named to best-books lists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super fairy tale for older readers, June 27, 2000

By 

Kat (Sandston, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haunted Waters (Paperback)

Isn't it great when a book really grabs you and knocks you off your feet? I was so sorry to come to the end. A hauntingly beautiful fairy tale for older readers. The love of Lord Huldbrand (spelling!) for Undine is powerful to begin with and it is fascinating to watch this love turn to suspicion to fear and even to loathing. The mysterious, mystical elements of the book are particularly well written. It's spooky without being scary. I am a Storyteller who loves folklore, mythology, and fairy tales. I am now searching Amazon.com for similar books. (Anyone out there have any suggestions?) This is just a very powerful work that is extremely well written. I'm not doing as good a job as I'd hoped in praising it (these reviews are tough to write, which makes me appreciate a well-written book even more!) so buy a copy for yourself and enjoy, I know you will.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MYTH AND MYSTERY FLOW LIKE MIST, July 17, 1998

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haunted Waters (Hardcover)

This expanded version of Fouque's fairy tale noir is excellent; the plot flows right along, emptying into a sea of despair. Twenty-four short chapters provide readers thristy for more details the opportunity to drink deeply of the intimate dialogue bewteen the ill-starred couple: Undine, supposing herself the daughter of humble fisherfolk, and young Lord Hudlbrand of Ringstetten, lost in the dark forest. While Fouque's heroine (see reveiws for UNDINE) is fair and blonde, Osborne's maiden has dark tresses and even darker origins. The author encloses her tale within a brief prologue and epiloque of her own creation, to futher explain the fate of this mysterious girl.

Both versions have the old fisherman, the flooded peninsula, demonic trailing, the sudden arrival of a shipwrecked priest and the romantic complications caused by Lady Bertalda. This noble lady is less threatening to Undine than Fouque's; though less guilty and conniving, she still represents the Eter! ! nal Triangle . Narrated in the first person, HAUNTED WATERS reveals more of the psychological struggle of a nobleman deeply in love with his bride. Yet he is increasingly distressed about her fascination with the sea, her unusual powers over water and and her not-quite human origins.

Once he dobuts her love and suspects her link to the aquatic underworld, Huldbrand's life cascades into terror and disaster. Despite Undine's warnings not to antagonize the water spirits by causing her pain in their presence, he can not prevent the distance between their once-adoring hearts. Their happiness and their very lives are doomed, yet Osborne implies some hope for an unusual afterlife. This is a wonderful read for fans of Fantasy and Fairy Tales of all ages; I loved it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spare, Atmospheric Tale of Enchantment, March 5, 2002

By 

Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haunted Waters (Paperback)

Based upon the novel "Undine" written in the early 19th century by Friedrich Heinrich Karl, this short novel is spare and seems almost primative. The dialog is simple, the characters not very deep, but it has atmosphere in abundance and romance and obsession. It is the sad tale of a nobleman who is beguiled and ultimately falls in love with a mysterious young woman. It reads almost like a myth or a legend. It draws you into its pages and treats you to emotional ambiance that you won't soon forget. Some elements of the tale are never fully explained, but I did not find that to be a necessity because it is very dream-like or similar to being held under a spell. Anyone who has lived under an enchantment will understand. Read it and see for yourself. It is lovely.