The Language of Flowers

A Novel

By: Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Narrated by: Tara Sands

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

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 grief, 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 18 and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market 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.

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)

©2011 Vanessa Diffenbaugh (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“As a foster care survivor, I feel a kinship with Victoria Jones as she battles loss and risk and her own thorny demons to find redemption. Vanessa Diffenbaugh has given us a deeply human character to root for, and a heart-wrenching story with insight and compassion to spare.” (Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife)

"The Language of Flowers is a primer for the language of love. Vanessa Diffenbaugh deftly gathers themes of maternal love, forgiveness and redemption in an unforgettable literary bouquet. Book clubs will swoon!" (Adriana Trigiani, author of Very Valentine and Don’t Sing at the Table)

“A deftly powerful story of finding your way home, even after you’ve burned every bridge behind you. The Language of Flowers took my heart apart, chapter by chapter, then reassembled the broken pieces in better working condition - I loved this book.” (Jamie Ford, author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet )

Suburb Writing

I would recommend this audio book to anyone. The narrator was excellent and the novelist is a total babe! Cheers.

Tear Jerker/Page Turner

It might make you question your wedding bouquet, but the journey is worth it. I really ached for the moments Victoria felt alone, especially the post-partum moments.

Heartwarming Journey

Love the way Flowers spoke emotions. I definitely want to learn more. The main character was raw and relatable. I enjoyed this so much.

Learning to Trust and Love

Not often does an author present you with a protagonist that is so hard to like as Victoria. But, Diffenbaugh does a masterful job building your empathy for Victoria even as you struggle to understand her behavior. The author also did a great job painting a picture in my mind of every setting in the story. I loved learning about the secret meaning behind each type of flower and felt that added to the story in such a rich, wonderful way. I do applaud Diffenbaugh for not wrapping the story up in a neat little bow, but leaving us with a sense of hope for Victoria as she grapples to trust, love and be reliable.

Not my kind of book

It started out interesting but my attention was lost somewhere in the middle and really lost at the end. I didn't context with the characters or the meaning. What I really liked was hoe flowers were used to portray meaning and feeling. The book just wasn't for me.

Struggled with content

I really struggled with this book. I liked the majority of the story but toward then end there is some intense neglect of an infant and it was extremely hard to read and not dealt with in a responsible way. I just couldn’t get past it and it made the entire reading of the book sour.

Excellent

Highly recommend this book and enjoyed the readers tone and commitment to deliver the depth of the story!

A beautiful language

Would you consider the audio edition of The Language of Flowers to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but I would probably say yes. THe choice of narrator for this book was phenomenal, capturing the bitter, jaded, fragile persona of a young teenager

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elizabeth, Victoria, and Renata, in that order. Elizabeth for obvious reasons, Victoria for the reason that you get inside her head and feel her pain and anger while still going on a journey with her that doesn't make you pity her (she'd hate that), and Renata for taking chances and being the best kind of friend.

What about Tara Sands’s performance did you like?

As stated above, she captured the persona of all characters well - slight accents where needed, stronger ones is required, and the emotional drama of the story were pitch-perfect

Any additional comments?

This book was beautiful and wonderful and painful. Dramatic without being overly so, happy without being sappy, and an excellent read. I would have liked to see more male characters, but a minor quibble in a good read.

One of the Best Books I've Ever Read

I couldn't stop listening! So so good & kept my interest well! Loved the narrator too

incredible story!!!!

loved this story! incredible plot line, complex characters, and tealistic portrayal of a heart broken young lady.