The Language of Flowers: A Novel

· Sold by Ballantine Books
4.6
95 reviews
Ebook
336
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
 
The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.
 
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Praise for The Language of Flowers

"Instantly enchanting . . . [Diffenbaugh] is the best new writer of the year."Elle

“I would like to hand Vanessa Diffenbaugh a bouquet of bouvardia (enthusiasm), gladiolus (you pierce my heart) and lisianthus (appreciation).  In this original and brilliant first novel, Diffenbaugh has united her fascination with the language of flowers—a long-forgotten and mysterious way of communication—with her firsthand knowledge of the travails of the foster-care system. . . . This novel is both enchanting and cruel, full of beauty and anger. Diffenbaugh is a talented writer and a mesmerizing storyteller.  She includes a flower dictionary in case we want to use the language ourselves.  And there is one more sprig I should add to her bouquet: a single pink carnation (I will never forget you).”Washington Post

"A fascinating debut . . . Diffenbaugh clearly knows both the human heart and her plants, and she keeps us rooting for the damaged Victoria."O Magazine

"Diffenbaugh effortlessly spins this enchanting tale, making even her prickly protagonist impossible not to love."Entertainment Weekly

Ratings and reviews

4.6
95 reviews
Peggy McKoin
August 11, 2019
The characters will keep you flipping the pages until you are done...but you don't want it to be done. A delightful book that will make me think twice about my flower selections.
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Beth Carlson
July 2, 2016
I hadn't read a full book in a while and I decided to pick this one for some reason. I read it in two days from staying up late the first night and it was the first thing I went to the next morning. Loved it.
1 person found this review helpful
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Lauren Lang
July 4, 2013
I couldn't put this book down it was so good. The series of emotions it takes you through is unbelievable. Definitely recommend it.
6 people found this review helpful
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About the author

To write The Language of Flowers, Vanessa Diffenbaugh found inspiration in her own experience as a foster mother. After studying creative writing and education at Stanford University, Vanessa taught art and writing to youth in low-income communities. She and her husband, PK, have three children and live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This is her first novel.

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