The Alchemy of Flowers

A Novel

De: Laura Resau

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

"Utterly captivating. This beautiful novel casts a whispery spell of dark enchantments, secrets, and myth." --Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

A broken woman. A mysterious job ad. A chance to heal in French castle gardens--but strange things are growing behind the ancient stone walls. This debut adult novel is an enchanting, modern-day take on The Secret Garden, sprinkled with magic. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen.

Help Wanted: In search of a gardener for the ancient walled Jardins du Paradis in the South of France. Unique and rustic lodging provided. Off the grid in all ways. One must grow flowers from one's merde . . .

Exhausted by fruitless attempts to make a family, Eloise takes the chance of a lifetime to answer an ad in a French gardening magazine. To fly away from her life in the States and tend to both her shattered heart and the flowers of Paradise. And best of all for her . . .

Absolutely no children allowed on the premises.

Within the high garden walls, Eloise starts to learn the strange rules of the elusive estate owner. Living and working in isolation with her three companions, she finds her heart opening again to friendship--and realizes she's drawn to the handyman, Raphael. The flowers whisper to her, enchanting, delighting, healing. But why are the workers forbidden from going out during dusk? Who is the "Goddess of the Garden"? Is her mind playing tricks on her, or does she see a woodsprite flitting through the trees? The giggles and glimpses of a little girl haunt her and make her question: What is real in Paradise and what is illusion?

Eloise tries to rationalize her uneasy feelings and the darkness she uncovers beneath the garden's lush beauty, but as she digs deeper into the mysteries of her sanctuary, she begins to suspect there's a child on the grounds--who may be in danger. When Paradise becomes a deadly prison, she must risk everything to protect her newfound family and claim her second chance at happiness.

"The Alchemy of Flowers captivates the senses as well as the imagination in a magical tale of healing and forgiveness. Resau has written with great heart an eerie yet deeply touching story that keeps the pages turning until the very end." --Melissa Payne, bestselling author of In the Beautiful Dark and The Wild Road Home

Reseñas de la Crítica

'An impossible marvel . . . THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS by Laura Resau is a spellbinding journey of one woman's journey toward hope and healing, set amidst a garden of both promise and peril. Full of lush sensory detail, this tale is a vivid reminder that while the path to healing may be fraught with challenges, it is often through confronting the shadows that we find our true strength. A beautifully written, atmospheric novel that will leave readers both mesmerized and moved.'

'I devoured this in one sitting! Immersive, enchanting, and packed with mystery, THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS drew me in from page one. I was rooting for the curious and brave heroine, Eloise, and her cryptic compatriots in the Jardins du Paradis, as each finds friendship and healing after their own separate heartbreaks. The dreamy Provencal walled garden is the perfect escapist setting. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen will love this charming, feel-good novel.'

'Information about the language of flowers and their medicinal properties, good and bad, cleverly ties threads together and adds to the sense of mysterious unease growing in the Garden. The comfort of a found family, acknowledgment of the past traumas each Garden caretaker is working to overcome, the shared fear of malediction, and the dramatic resolution make for a page-turning gothic tale.'

'Laura Resau's THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS is an immersive, sensory experience. Resau treats bone-crushingly-hard topics like pregnancy loss with love and sensitivity, all the while taking the reader on a mystical journey. Deftly crafted and imaginative; a rare treat of a book.'

'Set in a beautifully described, lush garden, this tale weaves magical realism through a novel full of mystery, slowly revealed secrets, plot twists, and a touch of romance. For readers who enjoy compelling fiction about women's lives.'

'Set in a secret garden, THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS offers a lush blend of myth, magic, and mystery. Beautifully written and brimming with heartache, danger, and enchantment, this is a moving, memorable story about hope, healing, and starting over.'

'THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS captivates the senses as well as the imagination in a magical tale of healing and forgiveness. Yet this Paradise harbors its own dark mystery that threatens the tranquility of the gardens and the well-being of its inhabitants. Resau has written with great heart an eerie yet deeply touching story that keeps the pages turning until the very end.'

'THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS is a pure magical and sensory delight. Like roots in soil, though, the gift of this book goes deeper. Resau's novel offers an honest and compassionate portrait of the physical pain and health-related sorrows that go along with being human. So many of us can relate, and we can also relate to the wondrous alchemy and healing found in nature. This gorgeous novel captures both the heartbreak and the true healing at our disposal, if only we seek to turn difficulty into blooms.'

Depth of Emotion

I enjoyed listening to this book as it portrayed characters with a rare depth of vulnerability. Vulnerability provides connection as the characters portrayed, and as I felt as I listened to their stories.

The narrative is exceptionally well-crafted.

The narrative offered a poignant exploration of child loss and its potential impact on individuals. However, the pacing felt somewhat protracted, and the narrative structure appeared somewhat dense. Furthermore, the character of Antoinette did not resonate favorably.

Beautifully told

The book was magical it grabbed me and I never let go. I highly recommend this story. Enjoy

A bit of Magic in the French Countryside

Let me start by saying that one of Laura's earlier books, The Queen of Water, is one of my all time favorites. I'm a huge reader of nonfiction and usually don't stray too far into the realms of fantasy or magical realism. I am, however an avid gardener, and when an author I know creates a story based around a garden, I had to give it a listen.
The setting of the story, a mysterious garden in France, was not only charming, but at times an actual character in the tale. I found myself drawn into the story and enjoyed unraveling the various mysteries that were presented. I also enjoyed the the vivid descriptions of the area. I can easily imagine this book being made into a movie. All told this was a pleasant way to spend a few hours and a very enjoyable listen.
P.S. Cassandra Campbell does a great job, as always, narrating.

Magical

This was my first Laura Resau book. I loved it. I will definitely be reading more from this author. The Alchemy of Flowers was intriguing, magical, enchanting, and mysterious. The book will have you trying to figure out what parts are magical and what parts are real. I enjoyed it more and more as I read, and was especially impressed with how the author tied everything together. There were many lessons within the book and am grateful to the author for sharing this story of healing at the time of loss with us.