logo

49 pages 1 hour read

Fresh Water for Flowers

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Valérie Perrin

Fresh Water for Flowers

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • Contemporary

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin, Violette Trenet navigates her complex relationship with Philippe Toussaint, her grief after the tragic death of their daughter Léonine, and the unraveling mystery of the circumstances behind it. As she rebuilds her life working at a cemetery, Violette forms meaningful connections and eventually finds new love with Julien Seul, a police chief seeking closure from his own family secrets.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Mysterious

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

97,967 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Valérie Perrin's Fresh Water for Flowers is lauded for its lyrical prose and deep exploration of life and death, resonating with readers through its poignant character development. However, some find its pacing slow and the extensive interwoven subplots occasionally confusing. Overall, it's a well-crafted novel celebrating resilience and human connection.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fresh Water for Flowers?

Readers who appreciate evocative storytelling, rich character development, and themes of love and loss will enjoy Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Jojo Moyes’s Me Before You will find similar emotional depth and poignant narrative.

4.3

97,967 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Violette Toussaint

Violette is the protagonist of the novel. Having grown up in the foster care system, she deals with a fear of abandonment and is involved in a toxic relationship with Philippe. She eventually becomes a cemetery keeper, where she finds a sense of community and begins to heal from past trauma through her work. Her journey involves rediscovering her own needs and potential after meeting key characters like Sasha and Julien.

Philippe is deeply intertwined with Violette's early life. Initially seen only through Violette's eyes, he is portrayed as sensual yet emotionally detached, taking advantage of Violette’s need to belong. He comes from a privileged background with parents who ignored his flaws, resulting in his cold view of others.

Nono, Elvis, and Gaston are the cemetery's gravediggers who form a crucial support network for Violette. Each has distinct characteristics: Elvis is devoted to the singer Elvis Presley, Gaston is clumsy, and Nono is optimistic with a closer friendship with Violette. They help create a sense of belonging for her in the cemetery’s community.

Julien is a police chief who becomes a significant, positive figure in Violette’s life. He brings a mystery involving his late mother's wishes that draws him to the cemetery. His respectful and caring approach to Violette helps her find a new perspective on love and relationships.

Sasha appears later in the novel and plays a pivotal role in Violette's transformation. He is a cemetery inhabitant who helps Violette find a new path through his garden and friendship. Having experienced his own losses, he supports Violette’s healing process and shares his learned insights on seeking happiness.

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

France • Contemporary

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.