What Flowers Say: And Other Stories

by George Sand, Holly Erskine Hirko (Translation), Molly Crabapple (Illustrations)

A newly decorated edition of "The Castle of Pictures and other Stories."

Roses plead to go out to dance; an old oak tree offers advice; paintings of gods and goddesses come alive. In What Flowers Say, renowned writer George Sand dares children to fantasize, to believe in an alternate world. This magical collection, originally penned for her grandchildren, calls into question what is real, a life lesson from someone who refused to accept the gender roles available to women in the nineteenth century. Sand shares her love and immense knowledge of science and mythology, engages issues of class and character, and captures the wonder and determination of a curious child, offering all of us a true sense of infinite possibilities—well beyond the world we live in.

George Sand (1804–76) is considered the first professional woman writer of fiction. She wrote many novels, including Indiana and Léila, plays, newspaper articles, and a memoir, Story of My Life. The movie Impromptu is based on her life.

Molly Crabapple is a painter, illustrator, and writer based in New York. She has written many books, including Discordia and Week in Hell, and produced work on subjects including the Spanish general strike, her former career as a pinup model, her arrest during Occupy Wall Street, and her visit to Guantanamo Bay. Her illustrated memoir, Drawing Blood, is forthcoming in 2015.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Short Stories

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2014

About the author

Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin de Francueil, best known by her pen name George Sand, was a French novelist, memoirist and journalist. One of the most popular writers in Europe in her lifetime, being more renowned than either Victor Hugo or Honoré de Balzac in England in the 1830s and 1840s, Sand is recognised as one of the most notable writers of the European Romantic era. She wrote more than 50 volumes of various works to her credit, including tales, plays and political texts, alongside her 70 novels.
Like her great-grandmother, Louise Dupin, whom she admired, George Sand advocated for women's rights and passion, criticized the institution of marriage, and fought against the prejudices of a conservative society. She was considered scandalous because of her turbulent love life, her adoption of masculine clothing, and her masculine pseudonym.

Reviews

[jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

so whimsical and beautiful

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ delightful ✨

[Kira Hollars · Rating 5 out of 5]

How absolutely beautiful and whimsical this book is! As someone who has loved and been drawn to flowers and nature my whole life, it seemed only natural for me to be drawn to this book in the education library. This book, which I was mistaken in thinking was *written and published* in 2014, actually dates back to the 1800s written by a French woman who went by a traditionally masculine pen name (George Sand) to maintain respect in the writing world. This book contains several magical, supernatural/natural inspired stories ranging from the overheard gossip between the floral world about the queen of the flowers to a little boy living in an ancient tree in the forest to a magical castle with a veiled lady. These stories are written in an almost poetic way, inviting the reader to shut off their logic brain and turn on their curiosity and fantasy. The stories give the reader a chance to look at the world around them with a little more wonder and a little more appreciation as nature is truly incredible and worth the observation. I also really liked the intricate floral pen illustration between chapters indicating a change in story. I highly recommend this book to young or old readers looking for a little natural delight, especially readers who already have an appreciation for flowers and fantasy. Excellent book! This could also be paired with many, many other nature-inspired stories or tied to a history/science lesson. Made me want to visit France someday!

[Emily Bancroft · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨2.5✨


I liked the sentiment behind this book, and the historic nature of the author. But I feel that it was laced with too much hidden meaning. Subtle, subliminal messages are great in books, but when your whole book is full of them, it gets tiring after a while.

I also would struggle to age this book, it’s too simplistic in idea for adults, but too complex in language for children. It could well be due to the time it was written, but it doesn’t really translate to modern day readers.

Overall it was a satisfactory book, but I found myself increasing wishing for the final chapter to be over.

[RensReadingRainbow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to agree with the other reviewers about the poor translation in this version. Sand is a much better writer than this; the translator opted for the most basic words needed to convey Sand’s meaning, robbing the reader of the rich language needed to enjoy these simple stories. Do yourself a favor and skip this version/translator.

[Dinah Susan Alobeid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completed Book 49: November 13. Guilty pleasure admittance time, because I first heard of George Sand from the show "Gossip Girl." On a modicum of research following the reference I was hooked. George Sand used a male pen name and authored many beloved stories and memoirist writings during Victorian Era France. Hello Kween! Hello Feminism! She was a bold woman who lived her life in the manner she saw fit without regard for society's dictum. I had to read her. In Paris earlier this fall I was drawn to this beautiful copy of "What Flowers Say." The whimsical cover and short story format seemed the perfect access point to Sand's work. Making up just a few short stories with a connective theme of personification in nature and flora/fauna, Sand wrote these stories in her 80s for her granddaughters. The word flowery is often misconstrued as a saccharine criticism, yet is the best way to describe the sweet and vivid imagination Sand exudes. The history of that all knowing queen of flowers, the Rose, is a riveting bedtime story. The book in its entirety (which I snagged at Shakespeare & Company) is ideal for devouring during a picnic and sharing with little loved ones. It sparks the imagination and from my own experience, the creative process. Her way with words weaves a world of wonder. And apparently alliteration. Truly enjoyable. Le sigh.