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The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel
This middle grade, magical realism debut about a young girl who sets out to discover the truth behind her mother's disappearance is The Secret Garden meets the Book Scavenger series!
Floralie Laurel, freshly expelled from Mrs. Coffrey's School for Young Girls, works as a flower seller in an English village with her guardian brother, Tom, miles and miles away from their real home in France. Tom and Floralie are drowning in debt, but fortunately, Grandmama arrives to save them. Unfortunately, Grandmama's idea of "saving" means sending Floralie to the Adelaide Laurel Orphanage for Unfortunate Children and shaping her into a proper lady-i.e., ridding her of imagination, daydreams, paintings, and poetry.
Before Grandmama can take her away, Floralie discovers a hidden box of dried flowers and a letter from her mother, who had mysteriously disappeared years ago. The letter promises that the flowers will lead Floralie to Mama if Floralie decodes them with a floriography-a dictionary of flower meanings-written by Claude Monet's gardener.
Accompanied by an orphan boy who speaks only on paper, a blind librarian, and a thieving dormouse, Floralie sets off for Monet's house in France to find Mama. But Mama's fate may not be quite as Floralie expected, and the gardener may be hiding secrets deeper than Monet's water lily ponds....
Floralie Laurel, freshly expelled from Mrs. Coffrey's School for Young Girls, works as a flower seller in an English village with her guardian brother, Tom, miles and miles away from their real home in France. Tom and Floralie are drowning in debt, but fortunately, Grandmama arrives to save them. Unfortunately, Grandmama's idea of "saving" means sending Floralie to the Adelaide Laurel Orphanage for Unfortunate Children and shaping her into a proper lady-i.e., ridding her of imagination, daydreams, paintings, and poetry.
Before Grandmama can take her away, Floralie discovers a hidden box of dried flowers and a letter from her mother, who had mysteriously disappeared years ago. The letter promises that the flowers will lead Floralie to Mama if Floralie decodes them with a floriography-a dictionary of flower meanings-written by Claude Monet's gardener.
Accompanied by an orphan boy who speaks only on paper, a blind librarian, and a thieving dormouse, Floralie sets off for Monet's house in France to find Mama. But Mama's fate may not be quite as Floralie expected, and the gardener may be hiding secrets deeper than Monet's water lily ponds....
336 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Fiadhnait Moser
2 books15 followersI write books for children, especially middle grade readers. I am the author of two novels with Yellow Jacket Press, THE FLOURISHING OF FLORALIE LAUREL and THE SERENDIPITY OF FLIGHTLESS THINGS. When not writing, I enjoy painting, dancing, and hanging out with my animals. I live with my persnickety cat and flop-eared dog. I am currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I am represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 21, 2018
The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel is an extremely precious book - in both good ways, and bad. Floralie is a twelve-year-old girl living with her older brother, Tom, who is a florist. Their mother, Viscaria, was a ballerina, who loved flowers and seemed to speak their language, and she shared an unhappy marriage with their now deceased father, an alcoholic. Initially, it isn't clear what has happened to Viscaria, but it is clear that their grandmother, an extremely unpleasant woman who runs an orphanage, was involved. In an attempt to escape ending up in the nasty orphanage her grandmother runs when the woman in question decides Floralie is too much like her mother, Floralie decides to try and find her mother, using a box of dried flowers left behind.
Floralie is a sweet character, at times a little Pollyanna meets Heidi, but with just enough spark to her that she isn't boring. Her relationship with Tom, and then with Nino and Ms. Clairmont, brings a great deal of charm to the book, as does the language of flowers that is threaded through the length of the novel. Keeping in mind that it's a book intended for young readers, I thought the language was wonderful, if occasionally a bit flowery, and even complex, but it carried the story well, which has an old-world feel to it. In fact, the book feels quite timeless, which I think is a good quality in a book like this.
I did find the relationships that develop between Floralie and certain characters later in the book were a bit half-baked, as if Moser weren't sure how to make them occur organically, which eventually made them feel stunted, even stilted. Tom improves considerably as a character near the end of the book, and Floralie sees a great deal of growth as well. The one thing I found a bit off-putting was the semi-insta-love between Floralie and Nino, and the poems they share felt far, far too sophisticated for twelve-year-olds. Their precocity often pushed the book into "precious in a bad way" which is why I rated it 3 stars despite otherwise really, really enjoying it.
For somebody who doesn't want to think too much, but still wants an intelligent book steered by the strength of an impossibly delightful main character, this is an A+ book.
Floralie is a sweet character, at times a little Pollyanna meets Heidi, but with just enough spark to her that she isn't boring. Her relationship with Tom, and then with Nino and Ms. Clairmont, brings a great deal of charm to the book, as does the language of flowers that is threaded through the length of the novel. Keeping in mind that it's a book intended for young readers, I thought the language was wonderful, if occasionally a bit flowery, and even complex, but it carried the story well, which has an old-world feel to it. In fact, the book feels quite timeless, which I think is a good quality in a book like this.
I did find the relationships that develop between Floralie and certain characters later in the book were a bit half-baked, as if Moser weren't sure how to make them occur organically, which eventually made them feel stunted, even stilted. Tom improves considerably as a character near the end of the book, and Floralie sees a great deal of growth as well. The one thing I found a bit off-putting was the semi-insta-love between Floralie and Nino, and the poems they share felt far, far too sophisticated for twelve-year-olds. Their precocity often pushed the book into "precious in a bad way" which is why I rated it 3 stars despite otherwise really, really enjoying it.
For somebody who doesn't want to think too much, but still wants an intelligent book steered by the strength of an impossibly delightful main character, this is an A+ book.
August 6, 2018
Perhaps this is a story that is a bit too tidy and convenient by the end, but magical nonetheless. I gave it five stars because it was so compulsively readable and gorgeously written that the few unanswered questions and plot-holes were easily overlooked.
An adventure full of florals, ballet, Monet, and whimsy - so many things to adore. While sweet and lovely, it also handles the difficult topic of mental illness and its stigmas in the 1930’s in a manner that is not too daunting for juvenile readers. This is the first book I have ever found comparable to my beloved “The Rooftoppers” by Kathrrine Rundell. Readers will find Floralie feisty and likeable, and will also be itching to see what Moser writes after this sparkling debut.
An adventure full of florals, ballet, Monet, and whimsy - so many things to adore. While sweet and lovely, it also handles the difficult topic of mental illness and its stigmas in the 1930’s in a manner that is not too daunting for juvenile readers. This is the first book I have ever found comparable to my beloved “The Rooftoppers” by Kathrrine Rundell. Readers will find Floralie feisty and likeable, and will also be itching to see what Moser writes after this sparkling debut.
September 12, 2018
Absolutely beautifully written.
May 1, 2018
This was a sweet book that deals with some serious topics, such as, alcoholism and mental instability. Overall, it was enjoyable to read even though the plot is a bit “convenient.” However, I did find that the dialogue was a bit stiff and that there were things that weren’t 100% accurate with regards to the locations or the time period.
July 30, 2020
Picked this novel up on a whim after seeing it being displayed on the shelves of the library, and I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this novel. I fell in love with the writing right on the first page - it was beautiful, lyrical and whimsical. I also love the representation in the book, there’s a librarian who is blind and a boy who chose not to speak (shall not mention the reason why as it is a spoiler). Apart from that, I’m also surprised how there were discussion about alcoholism and mental health. The only thing is I found the story to drag a little towards the end but overall i had a pleasant time reading this novel. And I wish there were more illustrations in the book.
August 12, 2018
This was hard to rate because it was very beautifully written. At first i was trying to think if it would’ve been better as a YA, but i don’t know. I don’t know how i feel about this book. It was good, and i’m not sorry i read it. It dragged on a little bit and i thought the ending was kind of sad. I would definitely read something else from this author. I could tell right away it was a debut novel, but i don’t know what that says about it.
April 18, 2018
This is one of those books that feels timeless. Like, yeah it takes place in the 30s, but it feels like it takes place outside of time altogether.
Floralie’s dad is dead, and her mother is…elsewhere. So Floralie lives with her brother Tom, who gave up going to university in order to take care of her. Together, they run a flower shop in England (they used to live in France) and Floralie goes out to sell flowers on the street every day. She sells flowers and writes poems on her hands. And that’s how she meets her new friend, Nino! He’s an orphan and only communicates through writing!
He’s actually recently escaped from the Adelaide Laurel Orphanage for Unfortunate Children, which is owned by Floralie’s paternal grandmother. And that’s kind of important to know, because Floralie’s been kicked out of a fancy finishing school, and now grandma’s come to visit and since she doesn’t like what she sees, she wants to put Floralie in her orphanage. And she forces Tom to agree because she’s the only thing keeping them from being completely homeless at this point.
Grandma doesn’t think Floralie is a proper young lady. Doesn’t like any of this imaginative, free-spirited, painting-flowers-on-the-wall nonsense. No way! She insists Floralie needs to grow up. Quit fluttering off into her fantasy garden wonderland.
After finding a letter presumably from her missing mother, Floralie goes on a quest to France to locate her. Accompanied only by Nico and a blind librarian (Did I mention the blind librarian? There’s a blind librarian.) Floralie sets out. Now it’s time for the real questions. Where is her mother? What do the flowers mean? And what does Claude Monet’s gardener have to do with all of this?
Like I said, this book feels timeless, like it floats free from any temporal anchor point. And Moser’s writing style feels like so many paint strokes floating across the page, weaving together some beautiful imagery for a very emotional painting. I don’t want to give too much away about the ending, but I can kind of relate to Floralie in losing a relative to…well, spoilers, I suppose.
This looks like Moser’s first novel, and I would love to read anything else she writes.
Floralie’s dad is dead, and her mother is…elsewhere. So Floralie lives with her brother Tom, who gave up going to university in order to take care of her. Together, they run a flower shop in England (they used to live in France) and Floralie goes out to sell flowers on the street every day. She sells flowers and writes poems on her hands. And that’s how she meets her new friend, Nino! He’s an orphan and only communicates through writing!
He’s actually recently escaped from the Adelaide Laurel Orphanage for Unfortunate Children, which is owned by Floralie’s paternal grandmother. And that’s kind of important to know, because Floralie’s been kicked out of a fancy finishing school, and now grandma’s come to visit and since she doesn’t like what she sees, she wants to put Floralie in her orphanage. And she forces Tom to agree because she’s the only thing keeping them from being completely homeless at this point.
Grandma doesn’t think Floralie is a proper young lady. Doesn’t like any of this imaginative, free-spirited, painting-flowers-on-the-wall nonsense. No way! She insists Floralie needs to grow up. Quit fluttering off into her fantasy garden wonderland.
After finding a letter presumably from her missing mother, Floralie goes on a quest to France to locate her. Accompanied only by Nico and a blind librarian (Did I mention the blind librarian? There’s a blind librarian.) Floralie sets out. Now it’s time for the real questions. Where is her mother? What do the flowers mean? And what does Claude Monet’s gardener have to do with all of this?
Like I said, this book feels timeless, like it floats free from any temporal anchor point. And Moser’s writing style feels like so many paint strokes floating across the page, weaving together some beautiful imagery for a very emotional painting. I don’t want to give too much away about the ending, but I can kind of relate to Floralie in losing a relative to…well, spoilers, I suppose.
This looks like Moser’s first novel, and I would love to read anything else she writes.
June 24, 2018
Note: I received an advanced readers copy of this book at BookCon. This review is reflective of that ARC, and not the final published book.
The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel is a very beautiful book (I mean, just look at that cover!), but its also one that seemed unsure of what it wanted to be. While I enjoyed the story, I always felt as if everything read like it was still unfinished... or maybe just underdeveloped. The characters were genuine but almost flat depictions, the relationships were endearing but rushed, and the dialogue was beautiful but far too mature for an eleven and twelve-year-old. Additionally, I also felt like many plot lines were left dangling. Sure, the main plot was resolved by the end of the story, but I was left with many more questions than answers by the story's end.
Overall, I did think the writing for this story was very magical. It was the factor that drew me in right away. However, I do wish that some of the more rushed aspects of the story had been slowed down. I feel as though certain plot-lines and relationships would have felt more genuine and interesting than they did had they been given more time to grow. 3 stars!
The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel is a very beautiful book (I mean, just look at that cover!), but its also one that seemed unsure of what it wanted to be. While I enjoyed the story, I always felt as if everything read like it was still unfinished... or maybe just underdeveloped. The characters were genuine but almost flat depictions, the relationships were endearing but rushed, and the dialogue was beautiful but far too mature for an eleven and twelve-year-old. Additionally, I also felt like many plot lines were left dangling. Sure, the main plot was resolved by the end of the story, but I was left with many more questions than answers by the story's end.
Overall, I did think the writing for this story was very magical. It was the factor that drew me in right away. However, I do wish that some of the more rushed aspects of the story had been slowed down. I feel as though certain plot-lines and relationships would have felt more genuine and interesting than they did had they been given more time to grow. 3 stars!
June 28, 2018
The text is occasionally far too florid and many of the tropes will feel well-worn even to the juveniles this was written for but The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel, much like Floralie herself, rises above these challenges. Floralie is likable and sympathetic and her character goes through a process of growth that a lot of readers will find it very easy to relate to. All of the characters have depth - even the character who serves the villain role is developed into an actual person - and the message that everyone is more than they appear on the surface comes through quite well. Not all problems are magically solved but the conclusion is well-deserved and satisfying.
September 3, 2021
DNF about 50% through. This book had so much potential. The writing is stunning and poetic. But it got caught up more in the prose rather than the characters themselves and thus built a wall between reader and character. And all of the questions that had been gnawing at me were answered in three pages halfway through and then moved on as though it was nothing. As if there wasn't just a huge reveal. After that, I was like, "okay, now what?" All my questions were answered and the prose left me feeling disconnected from the characters, so I found no reason to go on.
July 14, 2018
Really wonderful read about an 11 year old girl who reconciles her very difficult childhood. Beautifully written but real.
July 15, 2018
Simply. So. Good.
The story is unique, true and inspiring and written in a magical, near-lyrical voice.
A certain must-read.
5/5
The story is unique, true and inspiring and written in a magical, near-lyrical voice.
A certain must-read.
5/5
August 17, 2018
I absolutely loved this novel. Fiadnait's characters came to life with the beautiful stitches and delicate wording of her words.
October 13, 2018
I wish the pacing had been a little snappier but I enjoyed this book and going on this journey with Floralie
March 14, 2019
A bit odd...
June 29, 2019
This is a story where beauty lies between opposites and art finds itself in pictures, words, flowers and a life lived on the edge.
April 7, 2020
I really liked the style, but the plotting was weird and involved a lot of very convenient happenstance
June 17, 2020
Delightful story of how art, dance , and poetry can change lives for the better.
February 1, 2021
A lovely and charming story perfect for middle grade readers in love with The Secret Garden and looking for a more challenging book.
July 28, 2021
Enchanting! (No matter how old you are.)
October 26, 2021
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS EVER
It’s a work of art!!! Beautifully written like poetry. I have memorized almost every one of Viscaria’s quotes. You will cry!
It’s a work of art!!! Beautifully written like poetry. I have memorized almost every one of Viscaria’s quotes. You will cry!
July 21, 2022
I enjoyed it. Nino was my favorite character.
February 26, 2023
Such amazing storytelling, this book is a bit slow to get into but the ending is wonderful! so magic, and the poetry is incredible.
February 28, 2024
Was alright. More appropriate I think for teen age group.
I love flowers and I did love going through the book and coming up with a list of all the different types of flowers mentioned in the book.
I love flowers and I did love going through the book and coming up with a list of all the different types of flowers mentioned in the book.
July 18, 2024
It starts off very slow but it's an excellent read. I love this book and couldn't wait to finish it.
April 2, 2020
More tedious than charming.
While Moser tackles some heavy topics such as alcoholism, broken families, and mental illness, everything seems to reside beneath a veneer of "cuteness." It would not have been so frustrating had Moser dedicated herself to either direction 100%, as I feel that the constant flip-flop between the charming and the tragic makes for a tonal dissonance throughout the book.
Perhaps this is also due to the fact that the charming aspects tend to go over the top. I felt like I absolutely had to love the protagonists because of their eccentricities, imaginative natures, and nonconformist tendencies. I felt like I had to love Paris because it was presented in that quintessential Paris way: full of mystery, art, and charm. Ironically, this pushed me away from liking the characters and settings - it all seemed very needy and desperate for my favor. Had this been toned down a bit, I think the story would have flowed a lot better.
Rupert Kingfisher's Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles is an example of a children's book that balances the whimsical and dark elements perfectly. I recalled it as I was reading The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel, as both books are set in Paris and go for a charming narrative. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to read more books like this one.
While Moser tackles some heavy topics such as alcoholism, broken families, and mental illness, everything seems to reside beneath a veneer of "cuteness." It would not have been so frustrating had Moser dedicated herself to either direction 100%, as I feel that the constant flip-flop between the charming and the tragic makes for a tonal dissonance throughout the book.
Perhaps this is also due to the fact that the charming aspects tend to go over the top. I felt like I absolutely had to love the protagonists because of their eccentricities, imaginative natures, and nonconformist tendencies. I felt like I had to love Paris because it was presented in that quintessential Paris way: full of mystery, art, and charm. Ironically, this pushed me away from liking the characters and settings - it all seemed very needy and desperate for my favor. Had this been toned down a bit, I think the story would have flowed a lot better.
Rupert Kingfisher's Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles is an example of a children's book that balances the whimsical and dark elements perfectly. I recalled it as I was reading The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel, as both books are set in Paris and go for a charming narrative. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to read more books like this one.
Want to read
March 9, 2018Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2018.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews