The Language of Flowers

by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I’d heard some buzz about this book on Twitter a few months ago, so when I found myself in the airport in need of something to read, I picked this up. And I’m so glad I did. The book is told from the point of view of Victoria, a survivor of the foster care system who begins emancipation with nothing but the clothes on her back and her love for flowers. Having never had a real family, she has a hard time communicating meaningfully with other people, except for the secret meanings behind different blooms. The story follows her through her trials in life and love and confronting her past (a good part of the book is told through Victoria as a child, and reveals where she first learned the language of flowers), and does a good job of being both very real and very moving. As a scene is unfolding, Victoria will often reference a few flowers, which serve to let the reader know her exact emotional state (there’s a helpful flower language glossary in the back, on top of in-text references). I can’t say too much else here without spoilers. Suffice to say, it is beautifully written and beautifully told, and I recommend it highly. I also want to become a florist now, but that’s another story. 😉

I give it 4.5/5 stars.