Jane Gardam describes Penelope Fitzgerald's "The Blue Flower" as "a bare little book", and in the spirit of the late 18th. century in which it is set, that is so. It is written sparsely, economically, and very cleverly, and almost defying analysis, the reader is left wondering how, in the manner of a conjuring trick, it has been done.
This is a book which engages without seeming to do so; unobtrusively detailed, surprisingly affecting, it is detached yet curiously involving. It recounts the engagement of Fritz von Hardenberg (later to become the philosopher and poet, Novalis) to Sophie von Kuhn, an empty-headed twelve-year-old. In the manner of so many young girls (no matter the century in which they live) Sophie's diary records her featureless existence : "Friday: no-one came and nothing happened".
While the betrothal is beset by obstacles, unrequited love falters in the background and family dynamics are handled with skill. Although there are few set-piece scenes, where they do occur they are beautifully framed and so stand out. The period is evoked deftly and intelligently, and rather as the fashion of the time was to arrange the furniture round the perimeter of a room, so with 'classical' restraint Penelope Fitzgerald leaves the floor clear for her 'Prophet of Romanticism' to play out his story.
Your comments are always so well written. The cover of the book would catch my eye.
I read the story of the hairdresser in 'The Matisse Stories'. I was having my hair trimmed on Friday, (after I had read the story) and I was there on time, but it was 1 1/4 hours before she got to me. I was getting a bit annoyed, as I had another appointment, but I will assure you I did not leave the salon in a 'messe' when I departed!
Posted by: Peg | 23 January 2007 at 05:26 PM
I adore this book - the opening scene where the laundry is being dried will stay with me. Have you read any of her others?
Marianne
Posted by: Pillowbookblogger | 24 January 2007 at 11:21 AM