Penelope Fitzgerald's final masterpiece.

The early years of Novalis, before he took this name. Penelope imagines him, his family and his obsession, the twelve year old, Sophie. This is a novalisation, not a biography, and as such gives you a feel for the time, place and people of the late 18c middle germany, and an insight, perhaps, into Novalis himself. A good read, which made Book of the Year 1995 in 19 different UK newspapers.

"We are close to waking, when we dream that we're dreaming." - Novalis