Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

3 Novels : The Blue Flower, The Bookshop, Offshore [Boxed Set]

penelope fitzgerald

... Show More
Gathered together for the first time are three of Penelope Fitzgerald's most beloved novels: The Blue Flower, The Bookshop, and Offshore. The Blue Flower: Chosen by the New York Times Book Review as one of the eleven best books of 1997, this magical novel recounts the curious obsession of the Romantic poet Novalis for his one "true philosophy" -- the plain and simple twelve-year-old Sophie. "A masterpiece. . . How does she do it?" (A. S. Byatt) "Quite astonishing . . . Her greatest triumph" (New York Times Book Review). The Bookshop: In 1959, Florence Green, a kindhearted widow with a small inheritance, risks everything to open a bookshop -- the only bookshop -- in the seaside town of Hardborough. She must contend with a leaky roof, a poltergeist, and, what's more, ruthless opposition from the self-proclaimed first lady of culture, Violet Gamart. "A brilliant little book" (Boston Globe). Offshore: Winner of the Booker Prize, this acclaimed novel features an eccentric cast of characters living in houseboats on the Thames, rising and falling with the great river's tides. "The novelistic equivalent of a Turner watercolor" (Washington Post).
    Genres

0 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1995

This edition

Format
0 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 1999 by Mariner Books
ISBN
9780618007110
ASIN
0618007113
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for penelope fitzgerald

penelope fitzgerald

... Show More
Penelope Mary Fitzgerald was a Booker Prize-winning novelist, poet, essayist and biographer from Lincoln, England. In 2008 The Times listed her among "the 50 greatest British writers since 1945". The Observer in 2012 placed her final novel, The Blue Flower, among "the ten best historical novels". A.S. Byatt called her, "Jane Austen's nearest heir for precision and invention."

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 4 votes)
5 stars
1(25%)
4 stars
2(50%)
3 stars
1(25%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
4 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
SSJLight
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I'm happy to say that I was recommended her by Julian Barnes. Of course, that's not really the case, but somewhere he writes that she is superior and undervalued. And he's right.

I knew The Bookshop as a film, which is nice but doesn't do justice to this wonderful short novel. The Blue Flower is a jewel. Again, it's short but very deep and empathetic about Novalis, a Romantic precursor of whom I knew little.

Finally, The Gate of Angels, which, by the way, just like The Bookshop, lightly touches on 'gothic', but is mainly a beautiful insight into the mores of the small bourgeoisie (and science) at the beginning of the 20th century. It's like Dickens, but much more readable and compact.

All in an impeccable prose that fits the time and place of the story.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
DastardlyPickle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
The Scarlet Pimpernel is an all-time favorite!

Both my mom and I were completely engrossed and stayed up well into the early hours to finish this remarkable book. :)

What makes The Scarlet Pimpernel so incredibly effective is the fact that individuals like the protagonist actually existed during the Reign of Terror. They bravely made attempts to smuggle innocent children, women, and men out of France.

The time period is presented in such a fresh and dynamic way that the story becomes a page-turner from cover to cover!

Moreover, the love story within the narrative adds additional dimensions to the already palpable suspense.

This book is an absolute must-read for enthusiasts of historical fiction and romance alike, or for those who are just being introduced to these genres. It offers a captivating blend of adventure, romance, and historical authenticity that is sure to leave readers spellbound.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TheDemonKing7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
The first edition of the United States is a significant milestone in the country's history.

It represents the beginning of a new nation, with its own unique identity and set of values.

The 1st edition US was founded on principles such as freedom, equality, and democracy, which have since become the cornerstone of American society.

During this time, the US was in the process of establishing its government, economy, and social structure.

The Constitution was drafted and ratified, laying the foundation for the country's legal system.

The 1st edition US also saw the growth of industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, which contributed to the nation's economic prosperity.

Overall, the 1st edition US was a time of great change and progress, setting the stage for the country's future development and success.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Zirmonan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

I really should have listed these as distinct books.

Offshore was truly great. It was more of a character study than a traditional novel, and in fact, it adhered much closer to the aesthetic of a short story. This unique approach made it stand out and offered a refreshing perspective.

The other two books, namely The Bookshop and The Blue Flower, were both solid efforts. However, The Bookshop had some key flaws that couldn't be ignored. It might have had a great premise, but certain aspects of the execution didn't quite hit the mark.

As for The Blue Flower, it just didn't quite manage to connect with me on a deeper level. Maybe it was the pacing, or perhaps the characters didn't resonate as strongly as they could have. Nevertheless, it was still a worthy read, but it didn't have the same impact as Offshore.

Overall, each of these books had its own merits and drawbacks, and it's interesting to see the different ways in which the authors approached their respective stories.

0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.