The Language of Flowers
Books | Fiction / Literary
3.9
(1.4K)
Vanessa Diffenbaugh
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 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 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 with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger 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. Look for special features inside. Join the Circle for author chats and more.Praise for The Language of Flowers"Instantly enchanting . . . [Diffenbaugh] is the best new writer of the year."—Elle“I would like to hand Vanessa Diffenbaugh a bouquet of bouvardia (enthusiasm), gladiolus (you pierce my heart) and lisianthus (appreciation). In this original and brilliant first novel, Diffenbaugh has united her fascination with the language of flowers—a long-forgotten and mysterious way of communication—with her firsthand knowledge of the travails of the foster-care system. . . . This novel is both enchanting and cruel, full of beauty and anger. Diffenbaugh is a talented writer and a mesmerizing storyteller. She includes a flower dictionary in case we want to use the language ourselves. And there is one more sprig I should add to her bouquet: a single pink carnation (I will never forget you).”—Washington Post"A fascinating debut . . . Diffenbaugh clearly knows both the human heart and her plants, and she keeps us rooting for the damaged Victoria."—O Magazine"Diffenbaugh effortlessly spins this enchanting tale, making even her prickly protagonist impossible not to love."—Entertainment Weekly
Young Adult
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More Details:
Author
Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Pages
336
Publisher
Random House Publishing Group
Published Date
2011-08-23
ISBN
0345525566 9780345525567
Ratings
Google: 4
Community ReviewsSee all
"Interesting look into a life very different from mine. I didn't always agree with the main characters decisions but could kind of understand why she would make them or feel the way she did. "
S S
Stumbling Shark
"Addictive. Read in 2 days."
A
Amanda
"Beautiful book about a girls determination to make it on her own and her love of flowers. "
A P
Amanda Pelletier
"This book had me going through a roller coaster of emotions for all the characters. Anger, empathy, frustration, care, CONFUSION. Definitely in my top 5 of favorites. #goodread "
B C
Barbara Casey
"The story of a girl/young woman’s struggle to overcome her dysfunctional past and find love"
F B
Faye Black
"Will never look at flowers the same! Absolutely loved it. "
R S
Rejoice Spivey
"Beautiful-looking book. The plot and the story are loveable, but the heroine is so unlikable that it completely put me off."
A A
Agustina Aceste
"I've always been fascinated by the Victorian language of flowers. Victoria, having spent the majority of her life in the foster care system, doesn't know how to communicate her emotions to people in any way other than the flowers she gives them. Set free from the system at 18, she begins to build a new life for herself. As her past collides with her present, she has to decide whether to retreat behind her flowers, or to let herself be loved. <br/><br/>Victoria was an interesting heroine. She was flawed, but that made her real. A wonderful debut novel from an author I hope to see more from."
B M
Beverly Marra
"This is the kind of book you are sad to finish. The characters stay with you and you find yourself thinking about them long after the last page. It may also inspire a trip to the local flower shop for whatever might be ailing you."
S M
Sara Mannal
"I loved it and will probably revisit in the future! Enjoy!"
L S
Lucia Stiglich