The Language of Flowers
Author – Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Publisher – Ballantine Books
Copyright – 2011
ISBN – 978-0-345-52554-3
Hardback – 320 Pages
Vanessa Diffenbaugh, author of The Language of Flowers, was inspired to write this novel as a direct result of being a foster mother. Diffenbaugh studied creative writing and education at Stanford University. Diffenbaugh taught art and writing to youth in low income communities. The Language of Flowers is her first novel.
The Language of Flowers weaves past to present of an unforgettable woman. The women has a gift for flowers that helps her change the lives of others while she is struggling to overcome her own past. The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions such as red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, the main character of The Language of Flowers, flowers were her only communication of grief, mistrust and solitude. Flowers were her only connection to the world in Victoria’s life as she was the product of the foster care system. Victoria ended up living in the street and in a park area made her own little garden. Circumstances developed and a florist noticed her garden and a vendor at the flower market had Victoria questioning what she was missing in her life.
Great read. It makes you think how lucky one is to have a family. We all take that so very granted. The Language of Flowers gives one a whole new perspective on life.
Book Review
Carole Walsh Scott
