Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh


(Book Summary via Goodreads):


A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what’s been missing in her life, and when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.


This insomniac's opinion: 

This novel was recommended to me by a book club friend. I am so very glad that she mentioned it to me.

Even though much of this novel deals with the often rough life of a foster child, it is eloquently written and the story unfolds beautifully. The author manages to write even the roughest of characters in such an endearing light that it is impossible not to love them. Victoria, the main character in this novel, will surely live in my heart forever.

Worth staying up all night to read?


Yes! I think this novel is a must-read!

Rating:


 5 stars



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