‘The Language of Flowers’ by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

"For eight years I dreamed of fire. Trees ignited as I passed them; oceans burned"

Rating: 7/10

It has been a long time since I have read a book in one sitting, but this was one I simply could not put down. In this harrowing coming of age, Diffenbaugh takes us through the devastating and enlightening life of Victoria by using flowers to tell her story. Despite having a very different experience with life and early adulthood than Victoria, I found her inner thoughts to be raw and shockingly relatable. The imagery in this book makes the read seem like an art museum, like the scenes being described on the pages are coming to life. I was also captivated by Victoria’s complex relationships with the people she encounters along her journey, and found myself wanting to know more when I reached the end. That being said, my only complaint is the ending. While it does tie everything up nicely, I wish it could have given us something more, and maybe be more satisfyingly. However, it did make sense for Victoria’s character and her development is astonishingly beautiful.