Questions About The Language of Flowers

by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (16)

Do you think this is a book to introduce into high school curriculum? Not so much for literature purposes but to teach teenagers that they are worthy of love and forgiveness.

Lisa Maxwell My opinion, as the mom of two young twenty-something men, is that I wouldn't have wanted them to learn about "love and forgiveness" from this book. It…moreMy opinion, as the mom of two young twenty-something men, is that I wouldn't have wanted them to learn about "love and forgiveness" from this book. It sets up the YA reader for an unrealistic expectation. The heroine, Victoria, is rewarded for her churlish, anti-social behavior by a too-good-to-be-true cast of supporting characters who treat her with a God-like agape-type of love that is rarely found in this world. She is continually the beneficiary of others' generosity without ever giving back; and she never acknowledges the gifts that others have given her, never thanks them. She is a "taker" throughout, and she cuts and runs too often. As a mom, I don't see that as a constructive lesson for teens. As chick-lit and book club fodder, it's a good read. For YA readers, not so much, IMO.(less)

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I read this book a while ago. Am I correct in remembering that it explains that if you give someone an orange, they will fall in love with you? I can't remember and it's driving me crazy.

Alexandra The book you are thinking of is "Ill Give you the Sun" by Jandy Nelson...great book
…moreThe book you are thinking of is "Ill Give you the Sun" by Jandy Nelson...great book
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Did anyone else find this book a bit too soap-opera-ish in its predictability by the end?

Jen Oh yes! This was a lengthy harlequin romance written by someone who knows about names of flowers, how to use a Peterson Guide to plants, how to identi…moreOh yes! This was a lengthy harlequin romance written by someone who knows about names of flowers, how to use a Peterson Guide to plants, how to identify the readiness of grapes and struggles for first-time mothers. A lot of readers think it had to do with forgiveness (not very believable in this story) and information about foster care in the US (hundreds of other authors have shared similar situational stories, so no new information here). (less)

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I enjoyed this book and there were tears at the end. Was it real though? Was it confronting? How did you react to this novel and how did the author rate as a first time novelist?

Cricket Muse The author skillfully folded Victoria’s past into her present creating intrigue about her relationship with Elizabeth and the one with Grant. The idea…moreThe author skillfully folded Victoria’s past into her present creating intrigue about her relationship with Elizabeth and the one with Grant. The idea of speaking to others through flowers is not a new one—think Ophelia from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. As a debut novel it is admirable and can be appreciated for taking on the topic of foster care.(less)

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What is the profanity like in this book? thanks