A Memory of Violets

A Novel of London's Flower Sellers

By: Hazel Gaynor

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the USA Today best-seller The Girl Who Came Home comes an unforgettable historical novel that tells the story of two long-lost sisters - orphaned flower sellers - and a young woman who is transformed by their experiences.

"For little sister...I will never stop looking for you."

1876. Among the filth and depravity of Covent Garden's flower markets, orphaned Irish sisters Flora and Rosie Flynn sell posies of violets and watercress to survive. It is a pitiful existence, made bearable only by each other's presence. When they become separated, the decision of a desperate woman sets their lives on very different paths.

1912. Twenty-one-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London to become assistant housemother at one of Mr. Shaw's Training Homes for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the homes have cared for London's orphaned and crippled flower girls, getting them off the streets. For Tilly, the appointment is a fresh start, a chance to leave her troubled past behind.

Soon after she arrives at the home, Tilly finds a notebook belonging to Flora Flynn. Hidden between the pages she finds dried flowers and a heartbreaking tale of loss and separation as Flora's entries reveal how she never stopped looking for her lost sister. Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie - but the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart.

©2015 Hazel Gaynor (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Lovely !

A sweet, sentimental story about love, not the romantic kind but the love between sisters, and of a father for his daughter. Be sure to have Kleenex or a hanky ready, I was choked up at about (5) minutes in. Full credit for the emotional impact of the story goes to narrator Nicola Barber. Her voices and accents were so convincing that I was able to look past some of the plot coincidences ( and there were many ). I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoyed " The Orphan Train". Different historical setting, but similar theme of children struggling to survive in brutal circumstances.

Bravo

Nicola Barber brings a remarkable story to life, giving each character a distinct voice and personality. I could listen to her for hours.

As beautiful as the flowers it describes!

Undiescribably beautiful. What a story! Based a true facts. The narrative is excellently executed. I have always been a sucker for Victorian Era works, and even though the timing of this one is slightly passed that period, it still brings me joy. What a piece of literature!

Roses and Violets

If ever a story has captured my heart and left behind a sweet fragrance of love, loss and forgiveness it is This Book about The London Flower Sellers! By the end of the story so gloriously penned it comes full circle and squeezes your heart with tender love and joy even in the midst of great loss! This story will long linger with me like the fragrance of a splendid summers Garden!

Believe Love Can Connect Us

It’s been many years since I come across such an amazing story. This will take you right into the lives of the flower girls. The surprising links and trails of love will leave you hopeful.

Beautiful and moving.

This was a beautiful story, very well written and a great narration. I enjoyed very much.

A beautiful portrait of two girls lives.....

Any additional comments?

Those of us who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or any other significant other will relate to this beautiful story...I sat in the parking lot exit on the turnpike to listen to the final chapters...and yes...tears of understanding...one line struck deeply..."Grief is a funny thing...you need to remind yourself to breathe and tell your heart to beat". So very true...This book will take you on a journey of two young girls who have experienced great losses and great gains in the late 1800's and early 1900's...Nicola Barber did a great job with all the characters within the streets of London and country of Ireland...Ms. Barber brought the Flower Girls and others to life...I highly recommend this audiobook or book!

I highly recommend it

I tend to pick books like this despite the fact that the conditions of the children and their families just break my heart. So once I start to read similar stories, I say to myself, why are you reading this book as tears stream down my face. However, this one brought joy to my heart because there are people who try to do something about the plight of these very, very poor people. I believe this to be a little bit of fiction and a little bit of fact, small wonder any of them survived the filthy conditions they had to endure.

Sweet Story of Two Lost Sisters

Orphaned sisters, Florie and Rosie who are selling flowers as street urchins in London get separated when Florie drops her basket and a man tries to grab little sister Rosie.

The two sisters end up growing up in completely different circumstances, one spending the rest of her life looking for the other. The other sister, having been taken in, didn’t know or remember her past and didn’t realize who she was.

The story is loosely based on a true story of the real life Homes of the Flower and WaterCress Girls.

Nicely written, well read, I highly recommend this book.

A must read!! Had me in tears. Definitely a reread

I really really enjoyed this book -- the story is an awesome one, traveling back and forth through time. The narration was spot on and the characters were sweet with just enough detail given. It had me in tears in the end! ❤