The author of the USA Today and New York Times bestselling novel The Girl Who Came Home has once again created an unforgettable historical novel. Step into the world of Victorian London, where the wealth and poverty exist side by side. This is the story of two long-lost sisters, whose lives take different paths, and the young woman who will be transformed by their experiences.In 1912, … experiences.
In 1912, twenty-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London, to become assistant housemother at Mr. Shaw’s Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the home has cared for London’s flower girls—orphaned and crippled children living on the grimy streets and selling posies of violets and watercress to survive.
Soon after she arrives, Tilly discovers a diary written by an orphan named Florrie—a young Irish flower girl who died of a broken heart after she and her sister, Rosie, were separated. Moved by Florrie’s pain and all she endured in her brief life, Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie. But the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart.
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A precious story. I do so love historical fiction. The book was a little slow to start, but once you get into it, you don’t want to put it down. I wish there really was a place like Mr. Shaw’s Home for flower girls. I read this in January 2016 and I’ll probably reread it this coming year. The story was so well written and tugs at your heart and …
I loved this book. So many twists and turns that bring the characters together. Make sure you read the author’s notes after finishing the book as you’ll learn more details about the people who the characters were based on.
Heartbreaking tragic historical fiction of London‘s poor in the 19th century. The story takes you from hopeless to hope by the actions of a caring man. Every Hazel Gaynor book is wonderful but this one is my favorite.
This is a Dickens-like book based on the tragic lives of children living on the streets of turn-of-the-century London, selling clumps of leftover flowers to couples as they passed in their carriages. One man started children’s homes and workshops, showing them how to make beautiful fabric flowers to earn money. It is also a mystery of one girl who …
I loved this book. The characters are fresh and genuine and the story behind the London flower sellers is fascinating, sad, uplifting and agonizing all at once.
Each character was intertwined through the storyline in such a way as to keep me interested the entire time. Definitely going on my “read again” list.
This book covered so many descriptives as to how flower girls survived in London. It brought together facts and fiction to make for an excellent read.
Very well written- somewhat a mystery- kept the secret almost to the end. Also very historical and heartbreaking. Enjoyed immensely!
We forget how difficult life was for most people not so long ago.
This certainly will bring back some of that reality.
Great read.
I worked as a floral designer for years, so the story of the flower girls immediately intrigued me. The author did a wonderful job of matching the history behind the book to the characters in the slightly haunting tale of, A Memory of Violets.
This book has it all, it is based (at least loosely) on historical events and situations, it has tragic moments, heart lifting moments and healing moments. A great book, I will look for more from this author.
What a great history lesson, everything about the lives of the children flower sellers in London. The descriptions of the slums & the flower market was very well done, in fact the slums were nauseating even to read about. Hard to believe that toddlers were doing this to bring money home & nobody cared. The wonderful work of Mr. Shaw & his …
really enjoyed the book
This is the second Hazel Gaynor book I’ve read and I was not disappointed! I will be looking for more of her work. I loved the characters and the story was unpredictable. It kept me involved throughout. Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
this is a wonderful book – idea for book clubs
One of my favorites. Ms. Gaynor takes you into another world where personal spirit and intriguing connections shine.
Good story with strong characters.
Interesting to learn more about that way of life in that time period and of some good outcomes.
One of the most heart warming stories I can ever remember reading.
One of my all time favorite stories that still stays in my mind. Beautiful and sad at the same time. A story of love between sisters and a family torn apart due to the times. You will never forget reading this.