I LOVED this book especially the Victorian setting, the characters and the importance of flowers to the storyline. It’s inspiring, refreshingly different and one I already know that I’d love to read again sometime.
Why I joined this book tour?
I have heard lots of great reports about Hazel Gaynor’s first book (The Girl Who Came Home) so when I saw the book tour announced for this one and got one glance at the fab cover, I was IN! The tour is hosted by Tasty Book Tours, there is giveaway and some great stops with extracts, interviews and reviews so I’d encourage you to check out the rest of the tour too.
A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor Published by William Morrow Paperbacks on 3rd Feb 2015
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: Blog Tour
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Goodreads
In 1912, twenty-year-old Tilly Harper leaves the peace and beauty of her native Lake District for London, to become assistant housemother at Mr. Shaw’s Home for Watercress and Flower Girls. For years, the home has cared for London’s flower girls—orphaned and crippled children living on the grimy streets and selling posies of violets and watercress to survive.
Soon after she arrives, Tilly discovers a diary written by an orphan named Florrie—a young Irish flower girl who died of a broken heart after she and her sister, Rosie, were separated. Moved by Florrie’s pain and all she endured in her brief life, Tilly sets out to discover what happened to Rosie. But the search will not be easy. Full of twists and surprises, it leads the caring and determined young woman into unexpected places, including the depths of her own heart.
First Line of A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gayno
“Mammy once told me all flowers are beautiful, but some are more beautiful than others.
What I loved about A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor
The setting: Both settings I should say –one is in 1876 and the other in 1912 and both felt authentic. I get the feeling that a huge amount of research has gone into this book and it feels really faithful to the actual events of the time period. But not at the expense of the plot or the characters, it all just fits neatly together without feeling contrived
The significance of flowers to the theme. I adored this! It added colour and vibrancy to the book
The image of the two girls selling their flowers on freezing early mornings in London. I was so sorry for them but I also had the image from Oliver Twist of the flower scene ‘who will buy my beautiful roses’ rolling around in my head. I know life was unbelievable harsh and this book hammers that point home rather than the romanticised one that was in my head
It’s hugely inspiring. A lot of the characters in this book have a lot to complain about but they never do. They just get on with it and do it with a smile. And it made me resolve to complain less.
The two storylines are woven smoothly together and I was equally attached to both of them.
And it gave me all the sads. My heart broke a little as I read it, so much poverty, loss and bleakness. But also so much love and loyalty. It’s quite the emotional journey and I love books that bash my feels about as I know the author has made me care.Overall a huge thumbs up and I can’t wait to go read the other book that Hazel wrote – The Girl Who Came Home – as I feel I’m in for another huge treat there.
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Who should read A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor?
I’m highly recommending this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, Victorian London settings and characters that put your heart through the wringer.
Thanks to Tasty Book Tours and Edelweiss for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Don’t forget to enter the Tour Wide Giveaway for Three Print Copies of THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME by Hazel Gaynor.
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Christy
I don’t read very much historical anymore, but this sounds like a lovely book. 🙂
Christy recently posted…Riot by Jamie Shaw
trish
Ditto, I don’t read a lot of it anymore either but this one was well worth dipping back in for!
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I’ve had The Girl Who Came Home on my Kindle for months and months and still haven’t read it. This sounds absolutely fantastic. I wouldn’t have been able to pass it up either. Have you read any Liz Trenow? The summary for this one kind of reminded me of her book Forgotten Seamstress.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library recently posted…Deadly Assets – Blog Tour Review
Tasty Book Tours
Thank you for hosting today!
Michelle @ In Libris Veritas
THis sounds really good! I don’t pick up a lot of historical literature but this definitely sounds like one I would enjoy.
Michelle @ In Libris Veritas recently posted…Review: The Martian by Andy Weir
Ana @ Read Me Away
Gosh, I have such a soft spot for flower language and imagery but I never really get to read books that feature it. I’ll definitely check this one out! 😀
Ana @ Read Me Away recently posted…Valentine’s Day with Ana & Dee: Book boyfriends, a giveaway, and dates!
Sabine B
Sounds like a good book.
Jennifer Huelsebusch
This book sounds fantastic!