Take a photo of a barcode or cover
zombiidactal 's review for:
The Alchemy of Flowers: A Novel
by Laura Resau
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
There was something quite cozy about The Alchemy of Flowers despite the sensitive subjects it broached by a hurting and angry main female character who struggles with infertility, the guilt associated with failure to do that which she feels she was made for as a woman, and agonizing through the trauma of losing a marriage as well as the children she miscarried.
The message repeated over and over again through the book is 'making flowers from shit' - which is so very fitting given that Eloise is running from a life unfulfilled and hired on as a gardener at a beautiful estate shrouded in mystery. I really enjoyed watching her make something out of herself as she worked through some of her dark traumas while being tempted time and time again by the eerie magical nature of what happens at dusk when all staff are required to remain indoors. There was a spunky charm to her continuing to question what others were too afraid to, to not let herself be silenced when things didn't make sense, and to push forward even if she stumbled back a few steps.
This was the first book I've read of its kind and I can't compare it to anything I've read before which makes it stand out as being quite enjoyable even if it's not exactly my cup of tisane. I think the magic and mysteries of the book is really understated, focusing mainly upon character growth and development over time.
Eloise's connection with flowers and her creative outlets are precious. The world within The Alchemy of Flowers is whimsical and never truly gets too dark without offering a bit of levity between the hurts. I think that this book has within it an incredible display of feminine strength and while I have never experienced the agonies associated with the loss of marriage, children, and infertility, I think that those who have might find the words within this book to be quite empowering.
I'm grateful to have received a copy of The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau from Harper Muse over on NetGalley.
The message repeated over and over again through the book is 'making flowers from shit' - which is so very fitting given that Eloise is running from a life unfulfilled and hired on as a gardener at a beautiful estate shrouded in mystery. I really enjoyed watching her make something out of herself as she worked through some of her dark traumas while being tempted time and time again by the eerie magical nature of what happens at dusk when all staff are required to remain indoors. There was a spunky charm to her continuing to question what others were too afraid to, to not let herself be silenced when things didn't make sense, and to push forward even if she stumbled back a few steps.
This was the first book I've read of its kind and I can't compare it to anything I've read before which makes it stand out as being quite enjoyable even if it's not exactly my cup of tisane. I think the magic and mysteries of the book is really understated, focusing mainly upon character growth and development over time.
Eloise's connection with flowers and her creative outlets are precious. The world within The Alchemy of Flowers is whimsical and never truly gets too dark without offering a bit of levity between the hurts. I think that this book has within it an incredible display of feminine strength and while I have never experienced the agonies associated with the loss of marriage, children, and infertility, I think that those who have might find the words within this book to be quite empowering.
I'm grateful to have received a copy of The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau from Harper Muse over on NetGalley.