The Blue Flower (1995) by Penelope Fitzgerald is a historical novel that explores the early life of Friedrich von Hardenberg, later known as the Romantic poet Novalis. Set in late 18th-century Germany, it centers on his obsessive love for a twelve-year-old girl, Sophie von Kühn, and his quest to understand the symbolism of the blue flower in his unfinished novel, Heinrich von Ofterdingen. Through a detailed portrayal of Hardenberg's intellectual journey and relationships, Fitzgerald examines the irrationality of desire, the tensions between idealism and reality, and the complexities of human emotion. The novel is notable for its historical accuracy and its refusal to provide clear answers, particularly regarding the blue flower and Sophie’s mysterious allure. Critics consider it one of Fitzgerald’s finest works.
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