Perhaps like you, I receive many links to stories and, when I have a second, as I did this morning, I click on them, skim a couple of grafs, send some good writing vibes to the author, and click on.
Today's link to Margot Berwin's story (in Anderbo, which I blogged about some months ago), "Hothouse Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire," an excerpt from her novel by the same name, quickly removed the mouse from my hand because of my deep and abiding love for the bloom above.
For years, I filled the house with Birds of Paradise whenever we had parties. Friends knew of my affection and brought them too. Beauty, elegance, complexity, exoticity (?), longevity all in one. It never occurred to me to buy the plant itself...so Berwin's story, which begins with her being sold a bill of Birds, caused me to sit back in my seat, fingers off la cliquer, and enjoy.
It's not just about Birds of Paradise and it is. And the novel is now on my list. Original, insightful, and all the Anderbo excerpt lacks is illustration like the picture above that I stole from the City of Stanton, CA, website: "Stanton Women's Civic Club in October 1959, the Bird of Paradise was selected as the City Flower." If the Women's Civic Club is still in existence, they should make Berwin's story required reading.
Ooops, I forgot to mention: Julia Roberts bought the film rights. Nice book cover too.
