The Language of Flowers

I very much enjoyed The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, a debut novel.  The story of Victoria Jones is told in two time periods, the first is the "present" as she "graduates" from a group housing home for wards of the state when she turns 18.  She then has to find her own way in the world.  She has very low self esteem as a result of her upbringing.  The second time period is when she is about nine and is taken in to foster care by Elizabeth who lives alone in a Californian vineyard.  Victoria is told that this is her last chance (after many foster care placements) to be adopted as once she reaches 10, she will be unadoptable.  Victoria constantly "tests" Elizabeth before finally understanding that she really is loved.  Elizabeth teaches her about flowers and their "language", the meanings derived from Victorian times.  An incident changes her life when she is 10 and the reader then sees much of the present story as Victoria establishes a life as a florist.  We eventually learn what happened when she was young, as past and present come together.  A poignant story about a girl who finds it difficult to accept and give love. 4/5