Emma has been virtually immobilized by grief following the death of her husband months ago. She can barely work, can barely even speak. When she leaves her medical research position to work part-time as assistant florist, she realizes just how mute she’s become. She can barely express to the owners, Les and Betty, why it is that she was unable to attend Les’s lecture on the secrets of the Titanic one evening. Was her whole existence, her whole ability to function in the world tied up in her husband? After trying to make amends to Les by doing a bit of research herself on the Titanic, namely who might have been the florist on the notorious ship, it sparks a journey for Emma that begins to remind her that she might have a life yet to live after all.
This is a beautiful story told through the language of flowers. It is also told in two voices, that of Emma’s and that of Violet’s, a stewardess on the Titanic. The narrative goes back and forth between the two women, telling their parallel stories. The narrative describes vividly how connecting to the flowers around them has connected both to their past (to their fathers), how its rooted them in their identities, and how it has essentially saved them at different points in their lives.
The character of Betty is quite a lovely character. I believe we all need a “Betty” in our lives. This is someone we might easily take for granted. She’s not someone fancy, not someone shiny, with a lot of flare, but she is wise, she is loyal, and she is kind. She is actually someone we should all aspire to be, each and every day.
This is a sweet novel that will bring heart and wisdom – and a few interesting tidbits about the Titanic, if you’re interested! – to your summer reading list.
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