aimeedarsreads 's review for:

Flowers of Darkness by Tatiana de Rosnay

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In a future Paris irrevocably altered by terrorism and climate change, writer Clarissa Katsef moves into new, modern high tech housing for artists. Weekly health checks and constant video surveillance are a small concession for a place of refugee away from her second husband after she learns after she discovers an appalling secret. Within weeks, she begins feeling lethargic and exhausted, with old grief surfacing amidst her current suffering, and she begins to think C.A.S.A., the organization responsible for the artists’ housing, does more than simply monitor. Her teenage granddaughter resolves to help her investigate, but Clarissa questions whether her symptoms are the result of nefarious deeds, depression, or aging.

Flowers of Darkness is incredibly fascinating, with its depiction of a near future, post-Brexit world without bees and with even more extreme climate change, as well as the impact of living in a “smart” house—a parallel of the themes in Clarissa’s writing that position writers, namely Virginia Woolf, , in their intimate spaces. It also considers themes of grief, aging, secrets, and betrayal as well as the power of names and language (multilingualism, in particular). As much as I enjoyed these As much as I enjoyed these motifs, it was almost overwhelming in the relatively brief novel, and I wish the mystery of C.A.S.A. had been more clearly resolved.

The writing is lovely and full of literary allusions, and the slow burn creates a simmering tension, plus the work off Clarissa’s daughter is an interesting nod to de Rosnay’s last novel. And, once again, there is a feline companion, here named Chablis.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.