Honeysuckle is a novel that blends literary fiction and magical realism with a touch of gothic horror — think Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but with flowers. The book centers on Rory, a lonely boy whose sister, Wynne, creates a playmate for him woven from flowers, twigs, and leaves. This flower "girl," named Daye, is inspired by the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd. Daye becomes Rory’s very best friend.
At the end of their first summer together, Rory watches in horror as Daye begins to disintegrate — the materials that make up her body are no longer in season. He literally watches her fall apart and turn to dust. Devastated, he begs Wynne to remake her, which she does using autumnal flora. All is well. Rory and Daye grow up together, with Wynne remaking Daye at the end of every season.
Things take a dark turn when Rory becomes obsessed with keeping Daye "alive" forever — a fixation that spirals into a twisted exploration of love, control, and autonomy. As he grows older, he develops feelings for Daye that he hopes she reciprocates. When the relationship turns physical, author Fridman-Tell raises urgent questions about consent and the ethics of "creating" and controlling another being.
The prose is beautiful. If you love the natural world — or simply enjoy lush, immersive writing — the settings, the seasons, and the flowers will entrance you. The blend of folklore and mythology creates a rich new environment in which to wrestle with those ethical dilemmas. This would make a fantastic book club pick.
reviewed by Ashley Ewing
