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 … 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.
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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
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Good character profile of a group of people often misunderstood.
What a fantastic book!! A must read!
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I was so upset when I was finished- loved it!!
I’ve recommended this book to my teacher friends who work with children with serious problems. On the lighter-side, it’s fun and interesting to learn Flowers have a Language!
Very interesting info regarding the meaning of flowers but the character is very disturbing. I definitely wanted to find out the ending but it was weird.
Since this was a book club selection, I plowed through 110 pages before I gave up. The basic premise of the book is ridiculous and the characters are totally unbelievable. In real life, Victoria would have been confined to a locked mental health unit…and no one would have been willing to put up with evil behavior.
Perhaps I shouldn’t review this book, since I was unable to make it past 50 pages. This is unusual, since I am obsessive enough about my reading, I very seldom don’t finish a book, no matter how bad.
This book really grabbed me from the start. The story of the foster child experience and the extra flower tie in added a lot of interest. I chose it for a book club read and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
I really enjoyed this book and I know I will read it again. It is, at times, a heart-breaking story about a young woman who grew up in different foster homes. But in the end, she learns to self-love as well as open herself up to others. Another interesting part of the book is that the young woman learns about the “language” of flowers and how flowers were used in Victorian times to send a message to the receiver based on the flower sent. Absolutely delightful!
This book was very well written . The characters were realistic and the story helped me to better understand other people . I had a hard time putting this book down. Excellent read.
I loved this book!!! The central characters amongst the most interesting characterizations I’ve ever read.
At times heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting, this is a story that will stick with a reader long after the last page. The book tells the story of a young woman’s journey to learn how to love and trust.
I really enjoyed finding out the meanings of all the flowers plus the book had a good plot.