Tanya Park

The Flower Shop: a Coming-of-age Novel Tanya Park

What if you are nineteen, agonizingly shy, and need to get a job? Lacking a lighthouse in New Mexico, Gwendolyn Springfield applies for a job at the local flower shop and gets it. She tries to hide from the world, but the world, alas, comes to her. Weddings, funerals, gatherings large and small; all of them parade through her door-and into her life. She sees-and hears-it all. Meet Marjorie Wilkes, the Boss. She doesn't understand the "invisible cage" Gwen constantly finds herself in. Then there's Mrs. Hardcouer, the town troublemaker. All the townsfolk unload on Gwen, but to whom does she confide?The Flower Shop unfolds like a Willa Cather Novel: slow, with the sweep of insight and understanding gathered up at the end. Through others, Gwen comes to know herself. This novel is not recommended for girls under fifteen.