I recently read the highly acclaimed The Language of Flowers during my flight
to Sweden (it’s amazing what you can accomplish in 8 hours!). In her debut
novel, Vanessa Diffenbaugh has created a very real (although not very likable) protagonist,
Victoria, who has faced unimaginable heartbreak after spending almost her
entire life in foster care. After finally being released from the system on her
18th birthday, Victoria begins a new life working at a flower shop, where she
herself begins to blossom. The story toggles between Victoria’s present life
and various childhood events and relationships, many of which were painful to
read, that help the reader clearly understand just why Victoria is the way she
is.
While I don't want to reveal too much about the
plot, I must confess that the closer I got to the ending, the less certain I
was about how much I liked what I was reading. Sure, this book will draw you in
— Diffenbaugh is a gifted story teller. But, if you’re like me, I think the
story may leave you feeling a little unsettled. Pick this one up and let me
know what you think!
P.S. Definite bonus points for the comprehensive flower
dictionary. I was intrigued by what some of the flowers represent.
