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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor is a captivating historical novel that follows the lives of two orphaned sisters in Victorian London. It is a story of love, loss, and the power of hope.
In A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor, the story begins in 1876 in the streets of London where we meet two young Irish sisters, Flora and Rosie Flynn. Orphaned and destitute, they sell flowers to survive. Their only solace is the promise they made to each other – “I will never stop looking for you.”
However, a cruel twist of fate separates them when Flora is taken in by a wealthy family, leaving her sister behind. This separation haunts Flora, and she spends her life searching for Rosie, never giving up hope of reuniting with her.
Fast forward to 1912, and we meet Tilly Harper, a young woman from the Lake District, who moves to London to work at Mr. Shaw's Training Homes for Watercress and Flower Girls. Here, Tilly discovers an old notebook belonging to Flora Flynn, filled with dried violets and a heartbreaking tale of loss and separation. Tilly becomes deeply invested in Flora's story and is determined to uncover the truth about what happened to the Flynn sisters.
As Tilly delves into the past, she learns about the harsh realities faced by the flower girls – from poverty and exploitation to the dangers of the streets. She also forms a bond with a young, crippled flower girl named Birdie, who becomes her ally in her quest to unravel the mystery of the Flynn sisters.
Driven by her promise to Flora, Tilly embarks on a relentless search for Rosie, following any lead she can find. Along the way, she encounters kindness and cruelty, hope and despair, as she unearths the truth about the Flynn sisters' heartbreaking past.
Her journey takes her to unexpected places, including the darker side of London, but she remains undeterred. Through her determination, Tilly not only uncovers the fate of the Flynn sisters but also finds a sense of purpose and belonging in her own life.
Ultimately, Tilly's search leads to a bittersweet reunion between Flora and Rosie, revealing the heart-wrenching truth of their lives. Despite the years of separation and hardship, the sisters' love for each other remains undiminished.
In the end, A Memory of Violets is a poignant tale of loss and resilience, of the unbreakable bond between sisters, and the enduring power of hope. Through Tilly's journey, we are reminded that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can triumph, and love can endure.
A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor is a captivating novel that delves into the lives of two orphaned sisters, Flora and Rosie, in Victorian London. The story follows their journey as they navigate poverty and hardship, while also unraveling the mystery of a lost love. Filled with heartwarming moments and poignant twists, this book beautifully portrays the bond between sisters and the power of hope.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly stories set in Victorian London
Those interested in the lives of women and children in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
People who appreciate novels with themes of resilience, sisterhood, and the power of memory
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Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma