"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it." (James Bryce)

Monday, September 19, 2011

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS (Vanessa Diffenbaugh)

The Language of Flowers is Diffenbaugh's first novel, beautifully written and emotionally compelling. At eighteen years of age, Victoria Jones is emancipated from the foster care system after having spent years in a group home.  Victoria is a strange character, focused, suspicious, intelligent, and antisocial.  She has a strong affinity for everything connected with flowers, especially the Victorian era custom of using flowers as a means of communication.  After creating a temporary home and garden for herself in a park,  Vanessa is hired on a trial basis by a local florist and finds herself strangely drawn to a reticent flower vendor who seems as familiar to her as the language of flowers that represents their initial  communications.  She also develops a following of customers who believe that her flower arrangements have the power to change their lives.

Diffenbaugh weaves the past and present together in Victoria's story, which is as much about motherhood in all of its aspects as it is about flowers.  Victoria knows nothing about her own mother and at the age of 10 had anticipated adoption by Elizabeth, who longed for a family of her own.  Now Victoria, a misanthropist, views the idea of commitment to another human being, parent, child, or lover, as an impossibility for herself. Mother figures and mother-love permeate the novel despite Victoria's isolation.

This wonderful first novel is like a mixture of different varieties of flowers that blend together into a lovely bouquet.  I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

A RED HERRING WITHOUT MUSTARD (Alan Bradley)

I can't say enough about the delightful Flavia DeLuce!  This eleven-year-old sleuth is intelligent, perceptive, and scientifically gifted, but still a child in so many ways.  It still baffles me that author Bradley is so adept at stepping into the mind and heart of a precocious young girl.  Having been 11 myself once (back in the days of the Vietnam war and the Apollo missions), I am impressed with Bradley's talent.

After Flavia accidentally burns down a gypsy fortune teller's tent at the local fair, she invites the woman, Fenella Faa, to camp at Buckshaw, her family's estate.  The next day Flavia discovers that someone has attempted to murder the elderly gypsy, whose life she saves.  When she returns to the caravan to search for clues she encounters Porcelain, Fenella's grandaughter, and so begins her investigation.  Despite warnings from Inspector Hewitt, whose respect for Flavia's skills and knowledge are growing with each encounter, Flavia sets out to gather clues to the attempted murder.  In the process she discovers another body and uncovers some shady dealings in the local antiques business.  In the background Flavia's sisters Feely and Daffy continue to torment and torture her while her distant father tries to stave off bankrupcy and the possible loss of the family home, which belonged to her late mother.  Despite her incredible intelligence, Flavia has an endearing vulnerability and is still, in many ways, a little girl looking for love and validation. Highly recommended!