Medieval tales of supernatural women longing for a human lover and a mortal soul are common throughout Europe, from Melusine, to dragon and serpent women, to Ondine.
These mythical women's nature draws in the reader: while they are not good, (being supernatural), their motives are usually pure and the men are the ones who bring about the unhappy ending.

There is no duality to Giraudoux's Ondine, her supernatural nature is never seen as evil, especially because religion is not really brought into the story. Even so, she is delightful in her childlike wonder. The play is charming in its entirety and Ondine's enchantingly eerie ways give a touching insight into human nature.

A great read, recommended to all. ( )

This is a beautiful, magical story. I loved it. ( )

Une pièce dense, réjouissante, parée pour de nombreux niveaux de lecture, qui pioche dans des mythes épais comme un brouillard Haut-Rhinois. Les figures du roman picaresque, chevaliers ou naïades éplorées, ressurgissent dans un texte affranchi des styles, insolent et dynamique. On dit un classique, n'est-ce-pas? ( )