Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

8 reviews

kiwichill's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

jedore's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“There was only one way to the other side, and that was through the pain.”

This debut novel is an emotional exploration of resilience, trauma, and the power of human connection. The story is told through the eyes of Victoria, a young woman who spent most of her life in foster care. Her journey is a rollercoaster ride through conflicting emotions and challenging relationships. Her complex character, which is both strong and vulnerable, makes her incredibly relatable. While her actions sometimes frustrated me, her journey of self-discovery was very inspiring.

The novel's exploration of trauma and its lasting effects is raw and honest. Diffenbaugh doesn't shy away from the harsh realities faced by a young woman who grew up in the foster system, but she also offers a glimmer of hope through Victoria's resilience and her connection to flowers.

This is a powerful and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after the final page. It's a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and find beauty even in the darkest of times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

betag1013's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

mandi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

allisonw92's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Abandonment

sehwa's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I picked this book up by chance and decided to read it. Victoria is a classic and almost severe example of a child emotionally damaged by the Foster system, this already makes it a heavy read. You meet Victoria as she turns 18 and is left to fend for herself in a world that she had no preparation for. Through the story, you come to understand why Victoria is the way she is and watch her make so many mistakes while she tries to navigate through her new life with her self destructive behaviour. I'm an empathetic person so there were lots of parts of this book that broke my heart however this is a story with a hopeful ending. I don't regret reading this book but it was sad and got slow to read in some parts. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

mandi4886's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Child death, Cursing, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Dementia, Abortion, and Toxic friendship

char14tte's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

As much as I found it challenging to relate to the story or the obstacles that the main character faced, it was successful in making me reflect upon my own hardships. Whilst also delivering a heart-wrenching story that was indeed an emotional roller coaster. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Dementia, and Death of parent