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Book club questions for Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin explore the captivating world of Violette Toussaint, a caretaker at a cemetery in a charming Bourgogne town.
In this touching and internationally acclaimed novel, Valérie Perrin weaves a tale of resilience, unexpected connections, and the enduring power of hope. As we delve into the pages of this book, we encounter Violette’s daily interactions with mourners, visitors, and colleagues, whose confidences shape her routine in both funny and poignant ways.
However, her world is upended when Julien Sole, the local police chief, arrives with a peculiar request that unearths buried secrets from Violette’s past. With lyrical prose and a generous perspective, Fresh Water for Flowers immerses us in nature, culinary delights, and, above all, the profound bonds of friendship.
Join us as we dive into this saga of life’s complexities, where love, loss, and yearning intermingle, and discover a story that resonates with the experiences of countless women facing social and financial challenges.
In this reading guide, we will provide you with thought-provoking book club questions questions to unravel the depths of this extraordinary novel. So, grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading nook, and prepare to be swept away by the emotional journey that awaits within the pages of Fresh Water for Flowers.
The Synopsis
A #1 international best-seller, Fresh Water for Flowers is an intimately told story about a woman who defiantly believes in happiness, despite it all.
Violette Toussaint is the caretaker at a cemetery in a small town in Bourgogne. Her life is lived to the predictable rhythms of the often funny, always moving confidences that casual mourners, regular visitors, and sundry colleagues share with her.
Violette’s routine is disrupted one day by the arrival of Julien Sole—local police chief—who has come to scatter the ashes of his recently deceased mother on the gravesite of a complete stranger. It soon becomes clear that Julien’s inexplicable gesture is intertwined with Violette’s own complicated past.
About the Author
Valérie Perrin, born in 1967 amidst the picturesque Vosges Mountains in Remiremont, France, is a celebrated author whose storytelling prowess has touched hearts around the world.
Growing up in the enchanting region of Burgundy and later making Paris her home in 1986, Perrin’s literary career has been marked by resounding success. Her novel, The Forgotten Sunday, published in 2015, not only garnered the prestigious Booksellers Choice Award but also became a perennial best-seller in its paperback edition.
However, it was her English-language debut, Fresh Water for Flowers, released in 2020 by Europa, that catapulted Perrin into international acclaim. This extraordinary novel, translated into over thirty languages, received accolades such as the Maison de la Presse Prize and the Paperback Readers Prize.
Recognized as one of the top-selling authors in France by Figaro Littéraire in 2019, Valérie Perrin now resides in the captivating region of Normandy, continuing to captivate readers with her evocative storytelling and profound narratives.
Book Club Questions for Fresh Water for Flowers
I hope you and your book club will enjoy my discussion reading guide for Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin.✨
- How does Violette’s relationship with Philippe evolve throughout the story, and what factors contribute to her initially bending to his controlling nature? How does her trauma shape her need for love and acceptance?
- The tragic event of the hotel fire and the loss of the four children deeply affects Violette and Philippe in different ways. How does their grief manifest individually, and how does it ultimately impact their relationship?
- Explore the significance of Sasha, the cemetery keeper, in Violette’s life. How does their friendship help Violette find solace and a sense of purpose? In what ways does the cemetery itself become a symbol of healing and community?
- Philippe’s relentless pursuit of the truth surrounding the hotel fire showcases his determination and uncovering secrets. How does his relentless search for justice affect his relationship with Violette? Does his eventual discovery bring him closure or further torment?
- Discuss the themes of guilt and forgiveness in the novel. How do Violette and Philippe grapple with their own guilt, both individually and as a couple? Does forgiveness play a role in their journey towards healing?
- Valérie Perrin strategically delays the introduction of Julien by name to build suspense and intrigue in the narrative. How does this technique contribute to the reader’s engagement with the story? How would the dynamics between Violette and Julien have evolved if they had known each other’s names from the beginning?
- The tragedy surrounding Léonine’s death involves multiple individuals, including Mother and Father Toussaint, the hotel staff, and Léonine’s parents. Reflecting on their actions and decisions, who bears the greatest responsibility for the tragedy? Explore the moral complexities of the situation and support your analysis with examples from the book.
- Violette’s meticulous record-keeping in her burial register serves as a recurring motif throughout the novel. What symbolic significance does this act hold for Violette? How does the register fulfill her emotional needs and contribute to her sense of purpose?
- Violette endures a challenging and intricate relationship with Philippe, accepting their unconventional living arrangement for an extended period. Analyze the psychological and emotional factors that might have influenced Violette’s decision to remain in such a situation. How does her traumatic past play a role in her choices?
- Violette’s encounter with Julien Sole introduces a new chapter in her life. Analyze the complexities of their relationship and the challenges they face as they navigate their own personal histories and the connection between their pasts.
- Reflect on the role of fate and coincidences in the lives of the characters. How do chance encounters, like Julien bringing his mother’s ashes to a stranger’s grave, shape the course of their lives and their relationships?
- The narrative occasionally delves into the lives and memories of fleeting characters, offering brief glimpses into their stories before moving on. Discuss the purpose of these miniature stories within the larger narrative. How do they enhance the themes and messages conveyed by the novel as a whole?
- Violette’s upbringing was devoid of love until later in her life. In what ways do you see her difficult childhood shaping her perceptions of relationships and her interactions with others? How does this affect her journey towards healing and self-discovery?
- The second half of the novel provides deeper insights into Philippe’s character, revealing his values and motivations. Evaluate Philippe’s justifications for his abusive behavior towards Violette and Geneviève. How do these justifications align with or contradict his actions? Consider the complexities of his character and the effects of his choices on those around him.
- Valérie Perrin explores themes of spirituality, the paranormal, and life after death through Violette’s perspective. Do you agree with Violette’s beliefs regarding ghosts and the afterlife? Discuss the author’s portrayal of these elements and how they contribute to the overall narrative and themes of the book.
- Despite Violette having other acquaintances, Sasha becomes the key figure in pulling her out of despair. Analyze the unique qualities of their friendship that enable Sasha to have such a profound impact on Violette’s healing process. How does their connection transcend conventional friendships?
- Cédric grapples with a conflict between his religious devotion and his longing to become a father. Explore the larger thematic implications represented by Cédric’s struggle. How does his internal conflict mirror the themes of sacrifice, faith, and personal fulfillment explored throughout the novel?
- The novel explores the power of secrets and their consequences. Discuss the impact of the revelations about Philippe’s past and his involvement with the hotel staff. How do these revelations affect Violette’s perception of their relationship and her own healing process?
- Examine the portrayal of motherhood and the different ways it is depicted through Violette’s experience and the loss of her daughter Léonine. How does this loss shape Violette’s identity and her relationships with others?
- The book concludes with a sense of redemption and a newfound sense of peace for Violette. How does she find closure and a fresh start after the tumultuous events of her life? What role does Julien play in her journey towards healing and rebuilding?
Selected Reviews for Fresh Water for Flowers
“Colorful and highly enjoyable.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Fresh Water For Flowers goes to show how debuts can be great works. Perrin plumbs the depths of motherhood, life on the streets, and regret in her story […] It is an extremely well-written book that was frankly difficult to put down…”—San Francisco Book Review
“Fresh Water for Flowers is a saga of a woman’s life from nothing to something…A story representative of many girls and women trapped by social and financial circumstances.”—The Winnipeg Free Press
Additional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed my book club discussion questions and reading guide for Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin!
Here are some more of my book club recommendations:
The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
The New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Orphan returns with a gripping novel inspired by the true story of Operation Paperclip: a controversial secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis after WWII.
Berlin, 1930—When a wave of change sweeps a radical political party to power, Sofie von Meyer Rhodes’s academic husband benefits from the ambitions of its newly elected chancellor. Although Sofie and Jürgen do not share the social views growing popular in Hitler’s Germany, Jürgen’s position with its burgeoning rocket program changes their diminishing fortunes for the better. But as Sofie watches helplessly, her beloved Berlin begins to transform, forcing her to consider what they must sacrifice morally for their young family’s security, and what the price for their neutrality will be.
Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of the many German scientists offered pardons for their part in the war, and taken to America to work for its fledgling space program. For Sofie, this is the chance to exorcise the ghosts that have followed her across the ocean, and make a fresh start in her adopted country. But her neighbors aren’t as welcoming or as understanding as she had hoped. When scandalous rumors about the Rhodes family’s affiliation with Hitler’s regime spreads, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results will tear apart Sofie’s community and her family before the truth is finally revealed.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary…
Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.
Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.
With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
“A gorgeously written story of love, friendship, and survival set against the backdrop of WWII-era London.”
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and drawn curtains that she finds on her arrival are not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she’d wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.
Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.
Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions and as always, happy reading! ❤️