Since 2009, when it first published, to today, Bluets has drawn scores of readers with its surprising insights into the emotional depths that make us most human—via 240 short pieces, at once lyrical and philosophical, on the color blue. This beautiful hardcover edition celebrates Maggie Nelson’s uncompromising vision, inviting longtime fans and newcomers alike to experience and share in an indispensable work that continues to disrupt the literary landscape.

A lyrical, philosophical, and often explicit exploration of personal suffering and the limitations of vision and love, as refracted through the color blue, while folding in, and responding to, the divergent voices and preoccupations of such generative figures as Wittgenstein, Sei Shonagon, William Gass and Joan Mitchell. Bluets further confirms Maggie Nelson’s place within the pantheon of brilliant lyric essayists.

Published in over ten foreign editions, including Jonathan Cape, UK (2017), Kolektif Kitap, Turkey (2017), Editions Du Seuil, France (2017), Hanser Berlin, Germany (2017), Modernista, Sweden (2017), Saiplanet, Korea (2017), Editores Tajamar, Spain (2017); Pelikanen Forlag As, Norway (2018), No Kidding, Russia (2019), Schildts; Soderstrom, Finland (2019), Nottetempo, Italy (2023).

Adapted for the stage in 2024, by director Katie Mitchell, script adapted by Margaret Perry. Royal Court Theatre, London, England. Starring Emma D’Arcy, Kayla Meikle, and Ben Whishaw.