Now that the middle of April is upon us, flowers are in full bloom around every corner. And I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m obsessed with the lesser-used meanings for things. Flowers are something that I’m currently getting into. And funnily enough, I also adore reading, so in this installation of our series “Refreshing Books on Renewal and Rebirth,” we’re talking about Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s novel, The Language of Flowers.
We get a little bit of the secret flower language while also following the main character through her journey as she finds herself outside of her experiences through the foster system.
Victoria is a newly emancipated eighteen-year-old, with extensive knowledge of plants, flowers in particular. This is a story of survival, love, and strength with an added layer of depth that talks about the typically harsh topic of the foster care system. The book deals with an emotionally damaged character learning how to love herself again with the help of the people who believe in her. All of this is followed by an ending will restore your faith in humanity.
Diffenbuagh’s debut novel was published in 2011. Then it was announced that the book would receive a film adaptation in 2019. The Language of Flowers has yet to announce a release date, though it has been rumored that it will star Kiersey Clemons and Nick Robinson and be directed by Michael Mayer.
The thing that makes Diffenbaugh’s book a worthwhile spring read is the beautiful imagery that helps the characters grow into adulthood. It can easily be summed up by a quote from the book itself, “Perhaps the unattached, the unwanted, the unloved, could grow to give love as lushly as anyone else.”
Be sure to keep up to date with more springtime recommendations here!