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 )

Nice entertainment. Well done

I recommend to those looking for an engaging, entertaining story. The voice was well matched to the story; the story held my interest without over-complications.

predictable

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This book would not be one of the first books that I would recommend to a friend- but if they wanted an easy read that was full of predictability then this would be a good choice.

Would you be willing to try another book from Vanessa Diffenbaugh? Why or why not?

Sure... but I will hope that I will be unable to guess the plot so easily.

Was The Language of Flowers worth the listening time?

Like I said it was predictable... I also hated how the author painted foster care- not every home is bad, scary or abusive. There is interesting information on flowers...

Enjoyable Frustration at Story and Characters

Where does The Language of Flowers rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was only my third audiobook so I am by no means a critic but this was extremely enjoyable. Narrator was good and even her other voices (for different characters) were done well.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Language of Flowers?

The moment when Elizabeth and Victoria were reunited. I felt like I was on the sidelines watching and rooting for this moment.

What does Tara Sands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accents and other voices for the other characters in story.

If you could take any character from The Language of Flowers out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Victoria. I would tell her that even though she is young and was never shown love by those that matter most that there are good people to be trusted and that she deserves to let them in. She needs to get past her past.

Entertaining story

Where does The Language of Flowers rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I enjoyed listening to this book. It held my interest throughout the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the foster mother.

What about Tara Sands’s performance did you like?

She did an excellent job

Who was the most memorable character of The Language of Flowers and why?

I liked the flower shop owner.

Any additional comments?

enjoyed

was alittle confusing at the beginning but enjoyed after in a ways! would recommend to all.

Engrossing story of flaws and forgiveness.

Nice story of flawed humans finding their way, as we all do. Great narration. A bit long sometimes then a lifetime worth in the last 2 chapters, but I was engrossed..

very good

Would you listen to The Language of Flowers again? Why?

Definitely. Great narrator. Matched the characters well.

What other book might you compare The Language of Flowers to and why?

White Oleander... troubled girl in foster-home-hell.

Have you listened to any of Tara Sands’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No-

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really hated the main character a lot of the book, and my heart cried out for the child.

Great listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! I work with kids, so it was interesting to hear Victoria's responses to situations.

What aspect of Tara Sands’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It ran the gamut of emotions, laughter, sadness, empathy, tears.

Any additional comments?

This is the first time I had a book skip chapters. Each time at the beginning of listening, the book skipped 1-2 chapters. Also, the chapter numbers(auditorially) did not match those listed, which made it hard to get back.

A little melodramatic for my taste, but

I certainly finished the entire book and was interested in how the author would complete it

Beautiful Story

The author's words (and the narrator's tone) elicited a cadre of emotions. I absolutely could not wait to finish this book! When I did, I was sad and wanted more of the story.