Arrangements in Blue cover art

Arrangements in Blue

Notes on Love and Making a Life

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Arrangements in Blue

By: Amy Key
Narrated by: Amy Key
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

When poet Amy Key was growing up, she looked forward to a life shaped by romance, fuelled by desire, longing and the conventional markers of success that come when you share a life with another person. But that didn't happen for her. Now in her forties, she sets out to explore the realities of a life lived in the absence of romantic love.

Using Joni Mitchell's seminal album Blue - an album that shaped Key's expectations of love - as her guide, she examines the unexpected life she has created for herself. Building a home, travelling alone, choosing whether to be a mother, recognising her own milestones, learning the limits of self-care and the expansive potential of self-friendship, Key uncovers the many forms of connection and care that often go unnoticed.

With profound candour and intimacy, Arrangements in Blue explores the painful feelings we are usually too ashamed to discuss: loneliness, envy, grief and failure. The result is a singular work - a beautifully-written and essential book about building a life on your own terms, which inspires us to live and love more honestly.

©2023 Amy Key (P)2023 Penguin Audio Art & Literature Authors Friendship Parenting & Families Relationships Romance

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Critic reviews

"Key charts women's lives with a savage delicacy." (Olivia Laing)

"A writer of a rare and strange magic." (Sarah Perry)

"I love Amy Key." (Lauren Laverne)
All stars
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Really brilliant book. Perfect for Joni fans, but made me think and feel so much more. Thank you Amy for writing this

Recommend!

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I loved Amy’s honest depiction of her life and love relationships. I recognised myself in a lot of what she said. I am not familiar with Joni Mitchell’s Blue but will certainly have a listen now.

Amy also has a way of writing that draws you in, it’s so alive that at times, you can taste the words.

Thank you for showing the possibility of having an erotic, sensual relationship with yourself and life without having to be in a romantic relationship.

Beautifully written, captivating book

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I found this book brought back those feelings from when I first heard Blue and reminded me of times in my life the album had been there for me, but it is also a beautifully written memoir and tribute to non romantic relationships. If you aren’t familiar with Joni Mitchell then this book would be an Interesting introduction. I loved this book and will now seek out other work by Amy.

Beautifully written

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I had just finished a really good book and was looking for my next great read. I started and stopped Caledonian Road twice because I just couldn't get into it. Instead I started listening to Arrangements in Blue while deciding what to listen to next. I was not expecting much, I can't even remember how I learnt about it, someone must have recommended it and I'm so glad they did. It started with me not really paying attention, this lasted for around the first 20 minutes, suddenly I realised it had my attention. So I started again from the beginning and listened properly.

Amy's experiences resonated with me it was uncanny. It was as if she had read my diary and listened to my inner thoughts Never quite having the relationships that my peers appeared to be enjoying and not for want of trying and yet it was perplexing why not. She discusses abortions and being other in a society where couples and couples with children are the norm. I kept flicking back, feeling sure it must be a work of fiction and somehow I'd missed this point. But no, it seems not and yet her story is so much like mine. I didn't want it to finish and shall probably go back to read it again.

Loved It

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Honest and at the same time quite depressing. For me, it’s motivation to prioritise being a good partner - romantic love isn’t about finding the one but a journey of compromise and growth.

Not for me

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I identify with so much in this memoir. It is a riveting read. Especially for a fellow woman living in South Tyneside.

Honest, bold and thought-provoking

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Key's seering honesty and ability to articulate what is, for me, inexpressible, is quite exceptional. Simultaneously completely compelling but also excruciating at times.

extraordinary

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every single word resonated... thank you AMY so so much for articulating what i never could ♡

incredible

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Enthralling. Read beautifully. An unusual look at seldom-said feelings and situations. You don’t need to know a thing about Joni Mitchell!

Unique

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Honest, beautiful, raw & moving. A piece of art. Unlike anything I have read before. Would throughly recommend.

Honest, beautiful, raw & moving

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