Niels Lyhne, published in 1880, is a Danish novel by J. P. Jacobsen that delves into the inner life of its title character, a poet and idealist confronting love, loss, and existential doubt. Often considered a precursor to modernist literature, the novel reflects the influence of naturalism and Romanticism. With melancholic prose and introspective depth, Jacobsen examines the human struggle for meaning in a world increasingly devoid of religious certainty. Niels Lyhne had a profound impact on writers like Rilke and Thomas Mann.