The Paperbackers

David Baldacci goes melodramatic,and a girls learns the language of flowers. A look at brisk sellers and quick reads.

Since he wrote his first and arguably best book,Absolute Power,in 1996,David Baldacci has made a name for himself as a writer of intriguing political and legal thrillers. Nothing in his stellar record,however,could have hinted that he had One Summer Pan Macmillan,Rs 499 in him.

Popular writers are sometimes compelled to break away from successful formulas,think John Grishams A Painted House,but in this contrived tearjerker there are indeed times when you can barely take Baldacci seriously.

Jack Armstrong,a 34-year-old war veteran and father of three,is diagnosed with a disease for which there is no cure. As Jack prepares to say his goodbyes on Christmas Eve,tragedy strikes again. His wife Lizzie dies in a car accident. Jacks mother-in-law Bonnie plans to send the children to various aunts and uncles but,against all odds,Jack is miraculously cured. And during one melodramatic summer,the true process of healing begins and they learn to love,yes,again.

The pace picks up,thankfully,towards the end,when Bonnie sues for the custody of children and a mini courtroom drama,infinitely more familiar territory to Baldacci than family picnics on the beach,ensues. For the most part though,the book deals with Jacks troubled relationship with his children,with occasional interludes into such exalted themes as redemption.

If there were ever a Hallmark novel then The Language of Flowers Pan Macmillan,Rs 499 would be it. Written by Californian Vanessa Diffenbaugh,this tells the tale of Victoria,who has lived in 32 homes by the age of 18. A misanthrope by circumstances,she spurns everyone around.

Now a flashback. As a 10-year-old she had met Elizabeth,who lived in a vineyard and taught her the meaning of flowers rosemary for remembrance,cactus for ardent love.

Victoria was accustomed to cruel wardens at different homes,who humiliated and even starved their wards. She hated every school she attended where she was singled out,labelled,watched and never taught.

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After testing Elizabeths patience,Victoria realised that Elizabeth refuses to give up on her. They spent a year together in a comfortable routine,but the day Victorias adoption was to be finalised,Elizabeth bailed for mysterious reasons.

The book is told in two different time zones one in which Victoria is a 10-year-old living with Elizabeth,and the second in which she is an 18-year-old working at a florists shop.

There she leaves her customers happy because she uncannily knows what they want,be it a pink rose or a red carnation.

Diffenbaugh has a knack for over-simplifying and over-writing,but if it is flowers you want then that is all you get.