Read: ‘The Language of Flowers’
BOOK: The Language of Flowers
AUTHOR: Vanessa Diffenbaugh
TIME: Present Day San Francisco
RATING: 5/5 Cups of Tea! (and 5/5 boxes of Kleenex)
Spoiler-Free Review…
This book is a beautifully written and incredibly moving story about Victoria, who at the beginning of the book is ‘aging out’ of the foster care system at age 18. Like many others in her same circumstance, she is ill-equipped to transition into total self sufficiency having no High School diploma, no real support network, and a total lack of social skills. And because she has had very little constancy in her life, she has no motivation to succeed. In fact, by age 10 she has lived in 32 homes.
The book is told in alternating chapters about present day Victoria and the child she had been ten years earlier. Because Victoria has been fostered unsuccessfully so many times, she is told she will be given one last chance at age ten to succeed, and if not, she will be labeled unadoptable.
Without giving too much away, Victoria spends time with a caregiver Elizabeth, who welcomes Victoria with a bouquet of starwort. Elizabeth tells Victoria starwort means welcome, and that she is welcoming Victoria into her home. Skipping through much of this wonderfully told story, which I promise is going to give you ‘all the feels’, Victoria learns the language of flowers which will carry her through the next several years of her life in different ways.
In just 308 pages, The Language of Flowers packs a LOT of information and sends so many messages that will hit you with one emotional punch after another. It will take you through all of Victoria’s budding relationships experiencing many different kinds of love. You will discover Victoria is far from unfeeling, but keeps pushing boundaries to test love she dares not believe she deserves.
I loved the idea of sending messages with flowers! I thought it was a brilliant way to bring a way for someone like Victoria to be able to communicate her feelings.
Again this book has ALL THE FEELS. There is sadness, anger, heartbreak, disbelief, frustration, self loathing, distrust of others, and feelings of hopelessness. Then there is love, forgiveness, healing, resilience, hope, and redemption.
At the end you will learn that moss grows without roots. I’ll let you experience for yourself the pure pleasure of discovering what that means for Victoria.
Karen’s Bottom Line
This book prompted me to ask these questions
1. What are the consequences of abandonment?
2. Is it possible for one’s self to learn to love, be vulnerable, and to trust others after being abandoned or abused?
3. How did the home I lived in and the family I grew up with shape my feelings of self-worth, my beliefs, and the decisions I have made?
4. Non verbal communication can be powerful. In what ways have I communicated without using words? For better or worse?
5. What did Victoria’s choices of flowers she used say about how she felt about herself and others?
6. How can I help make a difference?
BUNDLES WITH:
Watch: The Killing (Netflix); a riveting crime drama series from Netflix.
Go: Seattle & San Francisco ‘Language of Flowers’ Tour & Create your own “language of flowers” bouquet at your local flower market
