Review
Laura Resau delivers a strong adult debut with The Alchemy of Flowers. Her whimsical storytelling sets the mood immediately, where readers meet Eloise and join her journey through grief and (hopefully) healing in the beautiful setting of the French castle gardens. While I cannot relate to Eloise’s story arc of struggles with infertility and divorce, I still felt connected with her as a character. The author’s personal experiences inspired this book, which makes for stronger writing and characterization.
What I enjoyed most about The Alchemy of Flowers was the details regarding the food. The author made my mouth water with her descriptions of each meal, down to the wine pairings. I loved it, even if it made me hungry for French cuisine. There is some romance but nothing explicit – although there is a self-pleasuring shower scene that is a bit descriptive yet not vulgar. I would feel comfortable recommending this book to my mom.
The only gripes I have with this book are the slow pace at the beginning (but intentional), and my own difficulty in determining which genre this book falls under. The author balanced the mystery, magical realism, romance, gothic vibes, and sensitive themes beautifully, but I can see how some readers might struggle with it.
I do want to warn readers of potential trigger warnings, including infertility, sexual assault, terminal illness, death, and mentions of underage forced marriage and child endangerment.
Laura Resau joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about how she navigated telling a story very close to her own, and plans for the future. Keep an ear out for the episode and pick up a copy of The Alchemy of Flowers, available July 29.
Book
Help Wanted: In search of a gardener for the ancient walled Jardins du Paradis in the South of France. Unique and rustic lodging provided. Off the grid in all ways. One must grow flowers from one’s merde . . .
Exhausted by fruitless attempts to make a family, Eloise takes the chance of a lifetime to answer an ad in a French gardening magazine. To fly away from her life in the States and tend to both her shattered heart and the flowers of Paradise. And best of all for her . . .
Absolutely no children allowed on the premises.
Within the high garden walls, Eloise starts to learn the strange rules of the elusive estate owner. Living and working in isolation with her three companions, she finds her heart opening again to friendship–and realizes she’s drawn to the handyman, Raphael. The flowers whisper to her, enchanting, delighting, healing. But why are the workers forbidden from going out during dusk? Who is the “Goddess of the Garden”? Is her mind playing tricks on her, or does she see a woodsprite flitting through the trees? The giggles and glimpses of a little girl haunt her and make her question: What is real in Paradise and what is illusion?
Eloise tries to rationalize her uneasy feelings and the darkness she uncovers beneath the garden’s lush beauty, but as she digs deeper into the mysteries of her sanctuary, she begins to suspect there’s a child on the grounds–who may be in danger. When Paradise becomes a deadly prison, she must risk everything to protect her newfound family and claim her second chance at happiness.
