Famous as the libretto for Antonin Dvoraks opera of the same name, Jaroslav Kvapils poem Rusalka is an intriguing work of literature on its own. Directly inspired by Hans Christian Andersens famous The Little Mermaid, Kvapils reinterpretation adds an array of nuanced poetic techniques, a more dramatic tempo, and dark undertones that echo the work of eminent Czech folklorist Karel Jaromir Erben. All of these influences work in tandem to create a poetic work that is familiar yet innovative.

Transposed into the folkloric topos of a landlocked Bohemia, the mermaid is rendered here as a Slavic rusalkaa dangerous water nymphwho must choose between love and immortality. Thus, Rusalka, while certainly paying homage to the original storys Scandinavian roots, is still a distinct work of modern Czech literature. Newly translated by Patrick Corness, Kvapils work will now find a fresh group of readers looking to get lost in one of Europes great lyrical fairy tale traditions.