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emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Che noia agonizzante!
Mi è sembrata una lettura infinita, lenta, senza emozioni se non quello dell’attesa che finisse. Ci sono libri che dal punto di vista della forma sono ineccepibili, ma il contenuto non alla stessa altezza; ci sono libri che hanno un contenuto superiore anche se non sono eccezionali dal punto di vista della forma; ci sono libri che hanno sia l’una che l’altro e ci sono libri che non hanno né l’una né l’altro. Questo libro rientra in quest’ultima categoria. Narrato in prima persona dalla protagonista, Vittoria, una diciottenne scontrosa che ha passato la vita da una famiglia di affido all’altra e in comunità, senza mai aver conosciuto i genitori, né la vera data di nascita o il cognome, il libro sembrerebbe avere le carte in regola per suscitare interesse e compassione nel lettore. Purtroppo, non posso dire di aver avuto questo impatto su di me. Per tre quarti della storia, la lettura è snervante e si fa fatica a decollare, l’alternarsi di capitoli che narrano il presente e il passato crea confusione, non si acquisisce ritmo e le frasi sono brevi, insipide, del tipo: “Oggi mi sono svegliata affamata e sporca. Il contatto con le persone mi mette paura. L’unica consolazione sono i fiori. Vivo nella disperazione, depressione e solitudine. Non merito l’amore a causa di quello che ho fatto. Devo scontare le mie colpe del passato.” Poi, negli ultimi tre capitoli finalmente il ritmo cambia e si vede la luce in fondo al tunnel. Victoria, in seguito alla maternità, trova la sua strada e impara che l’amore si costruisce e che le sofferenze del passato non determinano per forza la persona che si diventa e che, anche chi non ha mai ricevuto amore può imparare a donarlo e ad aprirsi alla vita e al prossimo. Bellissima lezione, peccato solo che ci vogliono trecento pagine per giungere a questa conclusione.
Il fatto di aver messo in evidenza i difetti del sistema di affido americano è utile per prendere consapevolezza del problema e cercare una soluzione. Il significato dei fiori, nato in epoca vittoriana, era un ottimo spunto ma fa da contorno alla storia alla fine e non è la portata principale, come invece vuol far intendere il titolo. Deludente.
Mi è sembrata una lettura infinita, lenta, senza emozioni se non quello dell’attesa che finisse. Ci sono libri che dal punto di vista della forma sono ineccepibili, ma il contenuto non alla stessa altezza; ci sono libri che hanno un contenuto superiore anche se non sono eccezionali dal punto di vista della forma; ci sono libri che hanno sia l’una che l’altro e ci sono libri che non hanno né l’una né l’altro. Questo libro rientra in quest’ultima categoria. Narrato in prima persona dalla protagonista, Vittoria, una diciottenne scontrosa che ha passato la vita da una famiglia di affido all’altra e in comunità, senza mai aver conosciuto i genitori, né la vera data di nascita o il cognome, il libro sembrerebbe avere le carte in regola per suscitare interesse e compassione nel lettore. Purtroppo, non posso dire di aver avuto questo impatto su di me. Per tre quarti della storia, la lettura è snervante e si fa fatica a decollare, l’alternarsi di capitoli che narrano il presente e il passato crea confusione, non si acquisisce ritmo e le frasi sono brevi, insipide, del tipo: “Oggi mi sono svegliata affamata e sporca. Il contatto con le persone mi mette paura. L’unica consolazione sono i fiori. Vivo nella disperazione, depressione e solitudine. Non merito l’amore a causa di quello che ho fatto. Devo scontare le mie colpe del passato.” Poi, negli ultimi tre capitoli finalmente il ritmo cambia e si vede la luce in fondo al tunnel. Victoria, in seguito alla maternità, trova la sua strada e impara che l’amore si costruisce e che le sofferenze del passato non determinano per forza la persona che si diventa e che, anche chi non ha mai ricevuto amore può imparare a donarlo e ad aprirsi alla vita e al prossimo. Bellissima lezione, peccato solo che ci vogliono trecento pagine per giungere a questa conclusione.
Il fatto di aver messo in evidenza i difetti del sistema di affido americano è utile per prendere consapevolezza del problema e cercare una soluzione. Il significato dei fiori, nato in epoca vittoriana, era un ottimo spunto ma fa da contorno alla storia alla fine e non è la portata principale, come invece vuol far intendere il titolo. Deludente.
Good story of overcoming obstacles. Of how one girl looks to help others, because she feels lost in her own life. Some of it is a bit easy to see coming, but even when that happens, the reader will cheer that it did. The definitions of all of the flowers was also very interesting to learn about.
As a mother of a daughter, this is a beautiful book. I only docked a star because I spent 95% of this book super frustrated with the main character….which is maybe the point? But it is beautifully written. Make sure to reference the flower dictionary in the back for deeper meaning as you read.
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I need to sit down for a second and just appreciate this book. I initially picked it up because of my love for flowers—I thought it’d be a beautiful way to learn about their meanings and the language behind them. But I wasn’t expecting the depth it offered.
The book touched on so many things: growth, the struggle to cope, depression, motherhood, second chances. It didn’t dive too deeply into each topic, but when it did touch on them, it did so with care—nothing felt offensive or poorly handled. It ended up being a really powerful story about survival, love, and strength—about what it means to pull through life even when everything feels heavy.
The main character was flawed and insecure, but she was written in a way that made you understand her. I didn’t always agree with the choices she made, but her growth over time felt rewarding—maybe that’s not the perfect word, but it fits.
A solid 4.5 stars for me.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meh.
I understood Victoria's dark past, and how that translated into her mistrust, and general dislike of people, and had no problem understanding her actions. However, I resented her selfish behavior, her refusal to take help, and mostly, her real lack of commitment to being alone and helpless or being saved and loved. I think this a fault of the author though, not the character, as I found myself disliking Victoria by the end. I believe, even the most unloveable character can be cried over and empathized with (i.e. Heathcliff) if written well enough. I guess my real beef, was the laziness the writing began to take on during the end. The lack of the 3d feel of Victoria. Her past was dark, and tragic, and I felt future Victoria didn't embody that past, but took on a selfish, shallow sort of behavior trend, which I would've understood if that was the point of her character, it wasn't though. The language of the flowers, was however beautiful, and the symbolism of those things. I just really felt like the main Characters, Grant and Victoria, were poorly written, and lacked depth considering there very rich and dark past. Just my opinion. Also really bothered me the unrealistic reactions of everyone around her, the way everyone seemed to dismiss her actions (notice I said dismiss, forgave I would understand) and continue to let her be gross and self serving. I was also confused by Elizabeth? She was set up to be a stand her ground the of person, and determined to take care of Victoria and maintained that attitude and then has a random mental breakdown? I understand that things can boil under the surface, but there was no hinting towards this, and the scene and action for the character was just not very believable. Grant also bothered me, who was very gentle and sensitive, and was treated like crap by Victoria. His acceptance towards her bad choices and weakness (much like his mothers) frustrated me, and it was very hard to believe that he was so pathetic in his heartbreak without there being any anger (there was a half hearted attempt at him mentioning being angry but thats about it) The author also plays with the idea of Victoria being out of her mind with confusion and sadness in the beginning when all she does is plant flowers with the milk jugs, and it was just poorly executed, I get what she was going for, but she didn't get there, and I was left annoyed and hoping it got better.
Unfortunately, it didn't really. Ok read, but one of those books I will forget about very quickly
I understood Victoria's dark past, and how that translated into her mistrust, and general dislike of people, and had no problem understanding her actions. However, I resented her selfish behavior, her refusal to take help, and mostly, her real lack of commitment to being alone and helpless or being saved and loved. I think this a fault of the author though, not the character, as I found myself disliking Victoria by the end. I believe, even the most unloveable character can be cried over and empathized with (i.e. Heathcliff) if written well enough. I guess my real beef, was the laziness the writing began to take on during the end. The lack of the 3d feel of Victoria. Her past was dark, and tragic, and I felt future Victoria didn't embody that past, but took on a selfish, shallow sort of behavior trend, which I would've understood if that was the point of her character, it wasn't though. The language of the flowers, was however beautiful, and the symbolism of those things. I just really felt like the main Characters, Grant and Victoria, were poorly written, and lacked depth considering there very rich and dark past. Just my opinion. Also really bothered me the unrealistic reactions of everyone around her, the way everyone seemed to dismiss her actions (notice I said dismiss, forgave I would understand) and continue to let her be gross and self serving. I was also confused by Elizabeth? She was set up to be a stand her ground the of person, and determined to take care of Victoria and maintained that attitude and then has a random mental breakdown? I understand that things can boil under the surface, but there was no hinting towards this, and the scene and action for the character was just not very believable. Grant also bothered me, who was very gentle and sensitive, and was treated like crap by Victoria. His acceptance towards her bad choices and weakness (much like his mothers) frustrated me, and it was very hard to believe that he was so pathetic in his heartbreak without there being any anger (there was a half hearted attempt at him mentioning being angry but thats about it) The author also plays with the idea of Victoria being out of her mind with confusion and sadness in the beginning when all she does is plant flowers with the milk jugs, and it was just poorly executed, I get what she was going for, but she didn't get there, and I was left annoyed and hoping it got better.
Unfortunately, it didn't really. Ok read, but one of those books I will forget about very quickly
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moderate: Pregnancy
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While listening to this book was a little bit hard to keep up with the timeline switches. I would realize a sudden switch had happened (main character child back to adult) when I heard the voice change but not always immediately. I wish there had been a better defined switch. Not hard to understand once I realized, though. Sad topics shed light on the glaring need for more social workers, mental health services and oversight for foster kids. The flower definitions is really a smaller part of this story that manages to weave generations together.