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A review by jenmangler
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
3.0
I wasn't sure if I would like the actual 'language of flowers' in "The Language of Flowers," but I really, really did. I found the discussion of flowers and their meanings fascinating. To have the main character struggle so much to communicate in every other way but shine in this one was interesting. I also liked how her customers were so eager to use flowers to communicate what they struggled to say. Sometimes we just can't find the words.
I have often struggled with students who won't let anyone in, and this book got me into that head space quite well. Victoria felt very real, even if I didn't always understand why she did what she did.
I'm not usually a fan of books that jump back and forth in time, but I didn't mind it here once I got used to it. It did take me a while to get used to the flow, alternating between the past and the present every other chapter (there are a couple of places where this format doesn't hold, and that was a bit of an adjustment for me), but once I did get used to it I actually liked it.
I didn't give this four stars because I thought the ending was too neat and pat, the characters too unbelievable. It went into "happily ever after" territory a bit too quickly/easily for my taste, especially given how many of them struggled for such huge chunks of the book. But I'm GLAD they got their happy ending, so I'm a bit torn.
I have often struggled with students who won't let anyone in, and this book got me into that head space quite well. Victoria felt very real, even if I didn't always understand why she did what she did.
I'm not usually a fan of books that jump back and forth in time, but I didn't mind it here once I got used to it. It did take me a while to get used to the flow, alternating between the past and the present every other chapter (there are a couple of places where this format doesn't hold, and that was a bit of an adjustment for me), but once I did get used to it I actually liked it.
I didn't give this four stars because I thought the ending was too neat and pat, the characters too unbelievable. It went into "happily ever after" territory a bit too quickly/easily for my taste, especially given how many of them struggled for such huge chunks of the book. But I'm GLAD they got their happy ending, so I'm a bit torn.