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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This book was truly a surprise. It was our book club read and I halfway expected to be bored to tears. Not so. It is a mesmerizing, insightful and well-written novel. Diffenbaugh’s character development was excellent and you find yourself rooting for the main character Victoria from start to finish. Victoria has grown up in the foster care system and she is one of the misfits who has fallen through the cracks. Despite her quirky and rebellious ways, you can feel her need to be loved. Although the journey was at times very rocky, Diffenbaugh leaves us with an ending that will restore your faith in humanity.
This book is as powerful–maybe more so–than when I first read it some years back. The pain, the beauty, the gorgeous prose, the characters who leap to life…a very rare few characters are as unforgettable, heart-breaking and inspiring as Victoria Jones. It’s one of the books that will never be displaced from my keeper shelf. It’s not a comfortable read, but who wants easy when you can have exquisite? I feel even more so now than when I first read it: brava, Vanessa Diffenbaugh. I bow at your feet.
The most interesting thing about this book is just what the title is: the language of flowers. This story is about a young woman who becomes an apprentice florist in San Francisco, after years of living in orphanages and group homes for troubled young women. Through flashbacks we see how she first learned about the emotional meanings behind dozens of flowers from a foster mother, as used by young people to express love and friendship in the Victorian era.
Then someone from her childhood reappears in her life, and the two use the language of flowers to tell their story and create a new one.
My sister recommended this book. Heart wrenching story with characters you fall in love with. A book that I enjoyed every page of.
Great book! Well written.
A great story for anyone who’s felt unloved, unwanted, and unworthy. Victoria is a completely flawed and entirely human character, who proves we can all find happiness, family, and love if we just give it a chance.
Great story! Drew me in right away. Well written and so interesting. Definitely recommend!!!!
The Language of Flowers reads like a disaster film. There are parts of it where you want to close your eyes so you don’t have to read what’s coming next – except the disaster is psychological not physical. Abandoned at birth, Victoria Jones grows up in a series of foster homes, where she is ‘brought back’ so often she ultimately runs out of placements. Left with an ‘attachment disorder’ she painfully makes her way back to communicating with the world with messages conveyed through flowers. As a foster parent, Vanessa Diffenbaugh knows this world and her voice is authentic. Recommended reading.
I read The Language of Flowers because a friend recommended it to me.
My friend grew up in the foster care system and could relate to the characters and the story. I really liked that through the language of flowers the main character was able find her self. My friend also found her redemption through her gifts and the magic she brought to teaching. Our gifts and our resiliency can often help as we go through life. The author, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, has been a foster parent and supports youth in foster care.
A bonus for me was that my friend and I got to meet the Author.
You will look and appreciate flowers differently after reading this book.
An engaging story with characters you care about.
Great story and characters. Would make a great movie.
A long time favorite
I wasn’t sure what to expect since I haven’t read this author before. The title pulls me in and I’ll never look at flowers the same. However, Victoria’s story is real. As someone who had mentored at-risk teens, I know, the trials and tribulations she endured were accurate. Great job depicting the foster care system. I love the way the book end with Victoria’s self-awareness while she’s still working on herslef.
It drew me in from the beginning with the character development and the dual time line. It was a very realistic portrayal of the results of children who grow up in the foster care system. The impact of trauma on children and their life long ability to attach and form healthy relationships was detailed in this beautiful story of love and healing.
Best book I’ve read in a long time. Love the subject matter. Loved the character. A little different from many books I’ve read.
Well written and thought provoking. Great story
This novel truly inspired me and it is a good read. You can tell the author put great effort and thought into the language of flowers.
Everyone does eventually find their purpose in life. It might be because some people have a lasting impact on you. This novel brings to life some of the internal struggles of the foster care system and how feeling unloved or unworthy can impact your life. And a bonus, I was able to learn the meaning behind some flowers that just maybe I’ll use someday.
I read this book several years ago and it was my fave book of the year that year.
I think the biggest surprise about the book is that somehow it gets under your skin and it is positively charming. I loved the characters and it’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that haunted me as much as this one. It really makes you think about the meaning of flowers, the foster care system, and unconditional love. Great read!
I loved the way the flowers impacted the damaged heroine, allowing her to communicate without words and I always love stories with redemption.