Reviews

A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers by Hazel Gaynor

brock111's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I knew nothing about London's flower sellers other than
the scenes from My Fair Lady. There were interesting themes and a few twists.

shri_ace13's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

mercies's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

4.75

This book for one is beautifully written and immersive. I felt as though I was transported back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The descriptions of the flowers felt a lavender or violet scent drifting through my nostrils. I loved to see the juxtapositions in settings as well. The characters were well written and their stories never felt forced or clique. I enojyed the parallels between Tilly’s sister and her and Rosie and Flora’s stories.

Spoiler

I also like how both the group of sister reunited and rekindled. I’m very glad that Tilly fell in love with Edward as opposed to Hebert. His arrogance annoyed me to bits but I guess that made for a well written but prideful man. His name is even ugly 🙄.

I like how the writing felt dated as if it was truly written during that time. But I’ll admit the twists, at least for me, was predictable. All in all I really loved the book. The ending was also satisfying, although predictable, and beautiful.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, War, and Terminal illness

reading_at_the_zoo's review

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

sally1's review

5.0

I loved reading this book. It has lots of history, some mystery, and a bit of romance. Reading about a city I've come to love, but at a very different time in its history, it quickly drew me into the story line and I didn't want to put it down.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and for the most part, I thoroughly enjoy her writing style. But, she seemed to have an obsession with...this sounds really silly to even mention...fingers. And fingertips. I lost count of the times she would describe someone running her fingertips across something or placing fingertips to her lips. I found it to be distracting, wishing she would have chosen another way to describe the scenes. I wondered how an author who is clearly gifted couldn't dig deeper into her vocabulary so as not to create a distraction such as this.

I'm still giving this book five stars, because it was captivating, it enabled me to fall in love with characters, and gave a vivid picture of the city of London and the Lake District in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It left me feeling very satisfied.

karissakate's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this one. I felt I knew what was happening but there was a very large twist that the author cunningly keeps the reader distracted from figuring out. I've read a lot about that time period but (as it seems they were then) the flower girls have always been left out. I'm glad to have gained some insight into a world that i previously knew little of.

nursenell's review

5.0

I so enjoyed this book about London's flower and watercress sellers. The story is very poignant. The bond between sisters is very strong, even when they are separated by forces beyond their control.

sueann's review

4.0

Ok, so perhaps there is an over abundance of coincidence here, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the descriptions of London, the Lake District and the seaside town. Most of the characters are well-intentioned, and I found that very satisfying somehow. I look forward to reading more from this author.

julianafern24's review against another edition

So slow, nothing was happening, all just backstory 

traceyturnsthepage's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

5.0