[Read by Derek Perkins]
The Blue Flower is set in the age of Goethe, in the small towns and great universities of late eighteenth-century Germany. It tells the true story of Friedrich von Hardenberg, a passionate, impetuous student of philosophy who will later gain fame as the romantic poet Novalis. Fritz seeks his father's permission to wed his ''heart's heart,'' his ''spirit's guide'' -- a plain, simple child named Sophie von Kühn. It is an attachment that shocks his family and friends. Their brilliant young Fritz, betrothed to a twelve-year-old dullard? How can this be?
The irrationality of love, the transfiguration of the commonplace, the clarity of purpose that comes with knowing one's own fate -- these are the themes of this beguiling novel, themes treated with a mix of wit, grace, and mischievous humor.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Penelope Fitzgerald wrote her first novel 20 years ago, at the age of 59. Since then, she's written eight more, three of which have been short-listed for England's prestigious Booker Prize, and one of which, Offshore, won. Now she's back with her tenth and best book so far, The Blue Flower. This is the story of Friedrich von Hardenberg--Fritz, to his intimates--a young man of the late 18th century who is destined to become one of Germany's great romantic poets. In just over 200 pages, Fitzgerald creates a complete world of family, friends and lovers, but also an exhilarating evocation of the romantic era in all its political turmoil, intellectual voracity, and moral ambiguity. A profound exploration of genius, The Blue Flower is also a charming, wry, and witty look at domestic life. Fritz's family--his eccentric father and high-strung mother; his loving sister, Sidonie; and brothers Erasmus, Karl, and the preternaturally intelligent baby of the family, referred to always as the Bernhard--are limned in deft, sure strokes, and it is in his interactions with them that the ephemeral quality of genius becomes most tangible. Even his unlikely love affair with young Sophie von Kühn makes perfect sense as Penelope Fitzgerald imagines it.
The Blue Flower is a magical book--funny, sad, and deeply moving. In Fritz Fitzgerald has discovered a perfect character through whom to explore the meaning of love, poetry, life, and loss. In The Blue Flower readers will find a work of fine prose, fierce intelligence, and perceptive characterization.
Mariner paperback, 1997, previous ISBN 978-0-395-85997-1
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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From Canada to U.S.A.
Seller: Alex Simpson, Carrying Place, ON, Canada
Soft Cover. Condition: G. First Edition Paperback. Uncorrected Book Proof. Soil/stain mark upper right corner, small corner creasing and light soil to outer edges. Wraps have edge/rub wear and light creasing. Actual book for sale pictured. 13.6 x 21.7 x 1.8cm, wt500g Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Uncorrected Proof. Seller Inventory # 017881
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Lost Paddle Books, IOBA, Albany, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Full number line 1-9. In blue boards with gilt to type on spine. Hard bumps to top corners and wear to spine ends. Gift inscription to ffep. Pages tanned. Jacket is price-clipped with creasing at top corners and edgewear. 1st Printing. Seller Inventory # LPB008765PF
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Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Fair. Acceptable/Fair condition. Book is worn, but the pages are complete, and the text is legible. Has wear to binding and pages, may be ex-library. 1.58. Seller Inventory # 353-0002239124-acp
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Seller: Books Unplugged, Amherst, NY, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within 1.58. Seller Inventory # bk0002239124xvz189zvxgdd
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Seller: Alex Simpson, Carrying Place, ON, Canada
Hard Cover. Condition: G. Dust Jacket Condition: G. First Edition. First UK printing. Tanning to paper, bottom/top corner creasing and soil to outer edges. Blue boards have edge wear, light soil marks and bump wear. DJ has edge/rub wear, light soiling and creasing. Actual book for sale pictured. 14.2 x 22.3 x 2.8cm, wt600g Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 018620
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Seller: Mungobooks, Poole, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Included. 1st Edition. 1st edition 1st printing hardback in unclipped jacket. Book and jacket in near fine condition with no inscriptions, usual tanning to page edges because of cheap paper used by the publisher and slight lightening to spine of jacket. Not a book club edition, ex library or a remainder. Scans available on request. Seller Inventory # ABE-1697996939320
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G0002239124I3N00
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G0002239124I3N01
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Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G0002239124I3N00
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Seller: PsychoBabel & Skoob Books, Didcot, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Hardcover. First edition, first printing. Page block and page edges are tanned; edges of jacket's inner flaps less so. A very good copy with clear text throughout. TS. Used. Seller Inventory # 603976
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