Did you know every flower has a meaning? Red roses signify “love” and orange ones mean “fascination”.
I was fascinated by The Language of Flowers, a debut novelby Vanessa Diffenbaugh. This is a story of loss, redemption and coming of age. The main character, Victoria Jones, has spent her life in foster care. Abandoned by her mother at birth and bounced from foster home to foster home, Vanessa immerses herself in the meaning of flowers, through which she learns to communicate. Her use of flowers continues as she “ages out” of foster care, to a world for which she is poorly prepared.
In Victorian times, the language of flowers conveyed romantic expression. For Victoria, flowers initially communicate mistrust and solitude. Gradually she learns that she can help others by selecting certain flowers for them. Her personal flower choices change from thistle (“hatred”) to mistletoe (“I overcome all obstacles”).
Through the people who most influence her, Victoria learns about love and hope. These are powerful and transformative lessons. I rate this book A-.
Reviewed on December 13, 2012 by Anna M. Stathis, a civil rights attorney and frequent guest contributor to UrbanFlrt
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