Smoke and Roses: A Steampunk Language of Flowers - Hardcover

Wylie, Olivia C

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1734327103 ISBN 13: 9781734327106

Publisher: Olivia Wylie, 2019

Synopsis

Rosemary is for remembrance.  You give yellow roses to a friend and lilies to the bereaved.  Ever wondered why?

In this illustrated volume you will discover the history of the symbolic code daring Victorian ladies and gents used to pass messages in bouquets: the roots of the practice in Turkey, its rise in Europe and its fascinating cultural connotations on both sides of the Atlantic. You'll learn how a mispronounced word gave the tulip its name and why the colors of the rose have so many meanings. Included are recipes for bouquets useful in your own life, including the Bugger Off Bouquet, to be given to those you would rather not see again. 

Let this book lead you up the historical garden path. 

About this title

Review

A treat for all the senses!

I want to live inside this book! The lush, vintage illustrations paired with the useful and fun information about botanicals and the language of flowers make this a perfect match for a historical reader turned author like me, with a penchant for flowers and Victoriana. Wylie has gone to painstaking detail to illustrate this book, even down to the vintage feel of old weathered pages, like something one might find buried in a trunk in Grandma's attic. Yet, this is not your Grandmother's delicate ladies' manual on horticulture and the fine art of flower arrangement. Updated for a whole new generation, but with a nod to the elegant past, Wylie's manual takes the English rose to steamy and smoky new heights with a little dose of snark on the side. There are not only traditional bouquets to say "I love you" or "I miss you" or even "Sorry for your loss", but also a few irreverent floral mixes to say, "bugger off" or "grow up" and even send a bewildered bouquet, asking the recipient to make their position clear. Whether one ever needs to send such bouquets or not, just perusing this book is pure bliss and fun, certain to be the perfect pick-me-up after a hard day or when no one else will send you flowers. Smoke and Roses will be there to comfort, cajole and delight.

-Tessa

A delightful diversion!

 

What a delightful diversion! Suddenly, I want to give flowers to my friends... and a few less than savory individuals. The illustrations are beautifully styled, with fabulous texture. Anyone with an interest in flowers, Victorian culture or steampunk should add this to their collection.

-Justinn

Edition details

• Publisher: Olivia Wylie
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1734327103
• ISBN 13: 9781734327106
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 116