If you know Wilhelm Jensen's 'Gradiva', it's probably because this book inspired Sigmund Freud to one of his essays.
And I can see why he found this story interesting.
And this interest is almost certainly what saved 'Gradiva' from being forgotten.
But it's also a pity that the novel itself became overshadowed by Freud. Because 'Gradiva' is a charming, funny, little book. And I think it deserves more attention than it's getting.
It tells the story of Norbert Hanold, a young, solitary archeologist who spends too much time inside his own head. He's basically married to his studies, and naive or uninterested in romantic matters.
That is, until he sees, and becomes obsessed with a relief depicting a Roman woman. And especially the way she steps forward.
This obsession with the woman he names Gradiva eventually leads him to venture into the real world, trying to find the real Gradiva.
And I'm not telling you how the story ends. But you'll get an insight into Hanold's past and motivation, there are funny situations along the way, and, ultimately, the ending is a happy one.
It's a short read but definitely worth the time!