The Language of Flowers

A Novel

By: Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Narrated by: Tara Sands

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 )

plot not well-developed

The story is pretty good, but doesn't seem to tie together well with how psychologically the heroine should have acted and thought process not well-defined.

A little overkill

What did you like best about The Language of Flowers? What did you like least?

The author's story line of the magic the main charater brings to others through her use of flowers. Very inspiring. Least? The character's painful lives and poor choices dominate the pages. They cannot get past their past, a bit depressing.

What was most disappointing about Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s story?

Too much time spent on the total naivete of the characters and their poor decisions.

What three words best describe Tara Sands’s voice?

flat, monotone, mumbly Perfect for the for dark characters in the book.

Do you think The Language of Flowers needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no. couldn't bear to see how painful the future might be

Any additional comments?

Loved the idea of the flower language. Narrator's performance perfectly depicted the characters personalities.

Wish everyone would read!

This story rings true on many levels- gut-wrenching for sure and so worth the purchase. This was recommended to me by a friend and I have already recommended to others. It shows rather than tells problems we have with our existing system in a non-condemning but quite compelling way.

Beautiful story, well read

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

This book rates in the top five of all the books I have read or listened to this year. Great way to learn about flowers and be inspired in over coming life's greatest challenges.

Which character – as performed by Tara Sands – was your favorite?

The young woman who the story revolves around

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

Loved learning, while enjoying a great story

Plant Lovers Will Enjoy This Story

What made the experience of listening to The Language of Flowers the most enjoyable?

I was surprised by how much I loved this audiobook. A friend of mine urged me strongly to read The Language of Flowers after I presented her with a bouquet of flowers for her birthday. I was dreading a boring encyclopedia rendition of the meaning and history of each flower and placed this far down on my will someday get to reading list. Recently, I noticed that this book was offered with my Audible membership and downloaded it in March. Today, April 9th, I finished listening after starting the recording on April 7th. The story grabbed me immediately. I was amazed and intrigued that a foster child was planting a flower garden inside of milk cartons in her room. Her homeless residence in the park impressed me deeply with this socially awkward girl’s innate desire to have a relationship with plants. I am highly introverted and have communicated intuitively through flowers ever since I was young. I was able to relate with many of Victoria’s struggles and emotional pain. This was a beautiful and moving story that compelled me to listen to every word. The author’s writing is powerful and skillful. Tara Sands is a wonderful reader. I urge every plant lover to enjoy this beautiful story.

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

This book has many vivid images and fragrances of beautiful flowers that I enjoyed while listening. The weather has been cold and gloomy recently and this book brightened my mood and made me excited about the approach of warmer weather.

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

Audiobooks enable me to get boring and routine things done around the house such as laundry and chopping vegetables.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I was eager to listen to this books continuously, but that was unrealistic.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book highly to people that love plants.

Not over excited

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, it just wasn't a book I would choose. (book club pick)

What was most disappointing about Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s story?

Her terrible decisions and lack of ability to seize an opportunity.

What about Tara Sands’s performance did you like?

Characters

Did The Language of Flowers inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

No

In love with this story.

When I was growing up in the system I read this book and it made me happy. It’s been around 5 years and I still caught myself thinking about flowers and what their meaning was according to the book of flowers. I was happy when I saw it here and it’s resparked my interest of flowers.

The language of flowers is definitely worth it

I love getting the education of the meaning of flowers intertwined with characters. I had a hard time with the protagonist being so caught up in anger. But perhaps that’s just not my experience. Overall a great read.

Sweet story lots of emotion

Complicated life situations and feelings of inadequacy deep relationships feeling you can do it all lone and you can’t do anything all at the same time no really enjoyed this story including the ending

The main character was hard to believe

The language of the flowers was interesting to learn, as not common since World War II (maybe WWI), but my grandmother, born in 1900, spoke of them.
Victoria was not an easy character, and it wasn’t clear why others loved her without suggesting she get therapy for her in your face attachment issues.
For those who had a tough childhood, you can overcome, especially if willing to do the hard work!