Journey in Blue: A Novel About Hans Christian Andersen

by Stig Dalager

Hans Christian Andersen is on his deathbed. Doses of morphine cause his brain to oscillate between dreamy states and fleeting moments of clarity. The complex and elastic mind that drives his personality and his work wrestles with his own perceived fate as a stranger in the world, his longing for love, and his religiosity. To believe in his own talent to the extent that Andersen has done and to have lived so one-dimensionally has left him socially deficient and isolated. There is also although internationally renowned, he was rejected in his own country until late in his life when a leading Danish literary critic discovered his fairytales and confirmed their importance to his fellow countrymen. As Andersen's death approaches, his memories grow more vivid and material, yet at the same time fairytale-like. In this remarkable novel, Stig Dalager takes the reader on a journey through the mind, body, spirit, and works of one of the truly great names in world literature.

Genres: Historical Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading about Hans Christian Andersen. I'm not sure I needed to know this much about Hans Christian Andersen's penis. I mean, it's hardly the most remarkable thing about the man. From what I understand, lots of people have them.

In fairness, this is a translation and, as such, has lost much of its melody. When you're not thoroughly entranced, you notice little things...like how much penis there is in the story. (A lot.) But there's some striking beauty in this novel as well. It must be quite lovely in the original Danish.

Oh well.

[Aggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

اگر دنبال یک داستان منسجمِ زندگی‌نامه‌ای هستید، این کتاب رو نخونید❗️

تو این کتاب با داستان زندگی آندرسن مواجهیم ولی اصلاً یک زندگی‌نامهٔ منظم نیست بلکه پر از پرش‌های زمانی و اتفاقاتیه که به سرعت وقوع پیدا می‌کنن. خیلی از بخش‌ها ممکنه براتون خسته‌کننده به نظر برسه ولی خب اونقدری نیست که بخواین کتاب رو کلاً کنار بذارین. نکته دیگه‌ای که به نظرم مهم اومد، ترجمه‌ست؛ من خیلی با این ترجمه ارتباط برقرار نکردم و کلاً احساس می‌کنم این کتاب در زبان اصلی خودش که فکر می‌کنم دانمارکی باشه، جذابیت بیش‌تری داره.
در کل نمی‌تونم بگم پشیمونم از خوندنش ولی حس می‌کنم برای آگاهی از زندگی آندرسن، بقیه منابع برام جذاب‌تر باشن.

[Rojin · Rating 3 out of 5]

اسم اصلی: Journey in Blue
اسم فارسی: «آخرین سفر جوجه اردک زشت»
ناشر ایرانی احتمالاً خواسته اسم رو آشنا‌تر و بازاری‌تر کنه؛ چون همه جوجه اردک زشت رو می‌شناسن.

اما خود داستان؟
پراکنده‌وار و پر از پرش‌های بی‌ربط: یک بار در حال هذیان مرگ، یک بار وسط خاطرات کودکی، یک بار هم درگیر فکر و خیال‌های اندرسن درباره‌ی خودش. انسجامی در کار نیست؛ فقط سرگیجه‌ی ادبی🙄

[Naghmeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely the best biography I’ve ever read. Thorough manifestation of the ebbs and flows of Anderson’s life. I literary enjoyed turning the pages of this book.

[Marie Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language of this novel is wonderful. it's poetic, words become dreams, but the storytelling is a little slow, sometimes you get bored. But the book is written with great talent and is a must for all ADULT fans of Hans Christian Andersen.

[Sada]

Liking the dream episodes and the episodic structure of the narrative.

[Anni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed on www.whichbook.net