Vannessa Diffenbaugh’s The Language of Flowers is an amazing novel.
Eighteen-year-old Victoria Jones is about to be emancipated from the foster-care system. She’ll finally be on her own, something she has desired for years. She’s far from a disillusioned teen sheltered by a simple past—in fact, quite the contrary-- yet, this newfound “freedom” is not exactly what she expected.
With only her street smarts, a blanket, and a backpack full of flower dictionaries, Victoria begins the rest of her life—a life that, this far, has left her jaded and incapable of being physically or emotionally close to anyone.
Victoria’s extensive knowledge of flowers and their meanings, previously used only for her own enjoyment (and the occasional mean-spirited “gift”), soon becomes as meaningful to her relationships as it was to those of centuries past. One flower-laden encounter leads her to discover a life that no one—and certainly not herself—thought that she’d have.
Laced with emotion, drama, and intellect, The Language of Flowers is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Diffenbaugh is an amazing author who writes with knowledge and heart.
*I read this book a couple weeks ago but it has taken me this long to be able to write a review that would give it something even close to the credit that it deserves. The story is so intricate and so beautiful (like a flower, if you will), that I will not detail the plot points like I often do. I’m hoping that this brief overview will be enough to pique your interest; I strongly encourage you to read The Language of Flowers.
Eighteen-year-old Victoria Jones is about to be emancipated from the foster-care system. She’ll finally be on her own, something she has desired for years. She’s far from a disillusioned teen sheltered by a simple past—in fact, quite the contrary-- yet, this newfound “freedom” is not exactly what she expected.
With only her street smarts, a blanket, and a backpack full of flower dictionaries, Victoria begins the rest of her life—a life that, this far, has left her jaded and incapable of being physically or emotionally close to anyone.
Victoria’s extensive knowledge of flowers and their meanings, previously used only for her own enjoyment (and the occasional mean-spirited “gift”), soon becomes as meaningful to her relationships as it was to those of centuries past. One flower-laden encounter leads her to discover a life that no one—and certainly not herself—thought that she’d have.
Laced with emotion, drama, and intellect, The Language of Flowers is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Diffenbaugh is an amazing author who writes with knowledge and heart.
*I read this book a couple weeks ago but it has taken me this long to be able to write a review that would give it something even close to the credit that it deserves. The story is so intricate and so beautiful (like a flower, if you will), that I will not detail the plot points like I often do. I’m hoping that this brief overview will be enough to pique your interest; I strongly encourage you to read The Language of Flowers.
Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a mother and foster mother who lives in Massachusetts with her husband and children. Vanessa Diffenbaugh is also the founder of the Camellia Network which works to cultivate support for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
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