Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Language of Flowers – Book Review

thelanguage of flowers
This novel touched me on so many levels and plucked so many emotional heart strings. Vanessa Diffenbaugh has crafted a magical book that takes the reader through a journey of loneliness, solitude,rejection, hate, grief, mistrust, love, redemption and hope.
Victoria has spent a life time in the foster care system. She turns eighteen and is emancipated. She is unable to feel a connection to other people, and instead is immersed in a world dominated by flowers and their meanings, as learned from the Victorian language of flowers. She is alone and homeless, when a florist learns of her unique ability to choose flowers that will help the flower shop customers with their own problems. A flower vendor at the flower market enters Victoria’s life and forces her to examine her life and face a painful secret, which changes her destiny.
Vanessa Diffenbaugh was inspired to write The Language of Flowers from her own experiences as a foster mother. While researching flower dictionaries, she noted that there were discrepancies between them and sometimes the same flower would be said to mean two or more different things. The more she researched, the more discrepancies she found! Therefore, she has included in this book, a flower dictionary she has made using either the science behind each flower, the most popular or frequent meaning, or the meaning she best liked. I think she did a brilliant job!
I don’t often spend money on novels, as I just don’t have room in the budget for both novels and the herbal books I need for my studies, but this novel is one I am going to definitely buy. Not only because I want to reread it whenever I like, without going to the library, but I also want the flower dictionary part as part of my herbal/plant library. Besides the fact, as Lily gets older, I think this book will help teach some valuable lessons. One being that love can overcome even the worst secret we might hold.
Vanessa Diffenbaugh is the founder of the Camellia Network. The mission is to create a nationwide movement to support youths transitioning from foster care.
Using the Language of Flowers, I thank all of you who read and comment at Comfrey Cottages

Bellflower – Gratitude
And in the coming New year I wish you each
celadine
Celadine – Joys to Come
Herbal and Honey Hugs to all who visit Comfrey Cottages xxx

14 comments:

Leanne said...

i got this for dd for her birthday she enjoyed it & it's on my list next to read.

Love Leanne

Rowan said...

I'll have to look out for this, it sounds good.

Anke said...

Sounds like a great book Leslie, I'll have to see if I can find it at our library.

Amy Brecount White said...

I so enjoyed the novel too! If you have any tween/ teen girls in your life, they might be interested in my novel, Forget-Her-Nots (Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2010). In it, the language of flowers come magically to life in the hands of 14-year-old Laurel.

Sweet basil for 2012!

Amy (Brecount White)
www.amybrecountwhite.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Leslie,
Sounds like a lovely book, I'll have to see if my library has a copy.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2012 is full of joy and wonder for you and your family (human and animal)!
xxx

De Gulle Aarde said...

This book is now on my wishlist.
Sounds great!!!

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Now quit this book reviewing stuff! I was trying not to buy this one! Now I may have to! Thanks honey for the review! Happy New Year to you and your family. xxoo Nancy

Rita M said...

Sounds like a great book Leslie, maybe something to buy the next time when I'm in England :)

Big hugs XXX
Rita

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a healthy & happy new year 2012!
May all your dreams come true dear lady.
Hugs Rosemary...xoxo

Comfrey Cottages said...

Oh that is so cool that you gave it to your dd, Leanne! You will enjoy it when you read it:) xx
Rowan and Anke, I think you both would like it also! xx
Amy, I ordered your book through my inter library loan system. It sounds marvelous! thank you for visiting! xx
thank you Lucinda! Much love and many blessings to you and your furbabies in the new year also xx
Hanneke, I look forward to hearing if you enjoy it also xxx
Nancy, yes you have to! lol! You will love it!! xxx
Rita, it is such a good story and the flower dictionary is lovely! I hope you find a copy xxx
Awww big hugs to you Rosemary! I wish you a joyous new year!!!! xxxx

Becky said...

We at Saving Grace, Inc. are giving this book to all of our mentors! Such a priceless look into the mind of a forgotten population! www.savinggracenwa.org
Blessings!!
Becky

Comfrey Cottages said...

That is so beautiful, Becky! Thank yo for all the good you are doing! Blessings to you xx

Netherland said...

I loved this book! The characters were well-written and I wanted to find out how they got to where they were in the story. I wanted to see what would happen next. The ending made me cry. Once I finished, I was inspired to look up the meanings of my favorite flowers.

Comfrey Cottages said...

Thank you visiting, Netherland:) I agree! I had to get a flower meanings book also! xxx