The book was on the NYT best seller list for 50 weeks, and translated into 40 languages. The author is a foster family parent, and created an organization to help with the transition of children who are "aging out" of foster care.
Main characters:
Victoria - Many felt sorry for her throughout the book. She had a very hard childhood and was bounced around to many foster families. She had post partum depression after the birth of her baby. She was very talented and knowledgeable about flowers, and ran a very successful business. Victoria is like moss - she can thrive without roots!
Elizabeth - Many members were not sure about her sincerity of being a foster mom to Victoria. She wanted more for Victoria than she thought that she could give to her. We had concerns with her relationship with her sister, Catherine. She felt unworthy to have Victoria because she couldn't repair the relationship with her sister. She was also very knowledgeable about the language the flowers. When Baby Hazel came to her she felt fulfillment and a sense of a new life ahead of her.
Catherine - She was mentally ill and unforgiving toward her sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth reached out to her and she was unable to forgive or even communicate with her.
Renatta - She was a true friend for Victoria, and saw Victoria's potential. She wouldn't give up on her.
Grant - He was patient, and experienced with flowers because of his mother, Catherine. He had a lot of responsibility at a young age to take care of his mentally ill mother, his home, and their business of selling flowers. He was extremely kind to Victoria, and saw her as worthy of his time and love. Some members felt that he was "too good to believe" as a partner to Victoria.
Additional notes:
- San Francisco, a place of beautiful flowers, was the setting of the book.
- Hazel means reconciliation.
- Some book club members felt that the meaning of flowers would not sway the flowers they give to people, while others felt that it would.
- We hoped for a happy ending with no more secrets, and a loving family for Hazel.
Author's website: http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/features/vanessa_diffenbaugh/author/
Author's FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/vanessadiffenbaugh
Camellia Network: https://www.camellianetwork.org/
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