Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Have a favorite flower to give or to receive? Do you know what that flower is saying? The Victorian art of communication through flowers is at the heart of this novel about a damaged young woman, named Victoria, struggling to understand and be understood by those around her.
In and out of foster homes most of her life, and now homeless and with no one to turn to, Victoria finds work at a local florist. At this job she begins to create arrangements using the language of flowers – and creates a successful business out of her work. All is not resolved, Victoria must learn to find her place in the world and talk about her feelings and allow herself to feel in turn. The writing style is not flowery, yet it is a lush tale of damage and the journey to redemption.
At the end of the novel is an appendix of flowers and their meanings. My favorite flower means cheerfulness which makes perfect sense since gerbera daisies are fun flowers. Beware though. Some flowers may mean jealously, deceit or other unsavory things.
