THE VICTORY LILY …a look inside

In the dirt—that’s where Nether Mae Puckett often finds herself, whether for burying, planting, or otherwise.

Like her mother, Nether Mae has a natural gift for gardening, but as the only daughter of the town’s undertaker, she finds herself a social outsider, nothing more than a curiosity to her classmates, and within the family, she’s been taught that the needs of the dead take precedence. Nether Mae takes solace in the garden and greenhouse where she is more comfortable cultivating flowers, particularly lilies, than she is cultivating relationships.

In an effort to gain her father’s attention, Nether Mae delves into the family business and is rewarded with an invitation to become his undertaker’s apprentice. Though she basks in this newfound esteem, she quickly discovers this isn’t the path she’d hoped to follow. How will she extricate herself from the funeral business without losing her father’s affection? What choices will she make in shaping her own future?

A historic adult/young adult crossover, The Victory Lily, my debut novel, is a family drama set in the (fictional) town of Blue Water, FL, at the close of WWII.

FLORIOGRAPHY

Flowers are a central motif in my novel, The Victory Lily. As the Victorians taught us, almost every sentiment can be expressed with flowers. The Victorians used them symbolically, to convey emotions and coded messages to their recipients, messages deemed too inappropriate to speak aloud. In the Victorian Era, floriography, or the “language of flowers” took root.

Some people argue that the lily is the most symbolic of all the flowers. In Greek mythology, it’s said that the lily was born of a drop of milk from Hera’s breast when she refused to nurse Hercules, Zeus’ son from another woman. In the Christian tradition, the lily is often associated with the purity of the Madonna.

The genus ‘Lilium’ has over 100 species, each holding different meanings, and within the species, specific colors add another layer of meaning. Here are a few that figure prominently in my novel.

The Easter lily, sometimes called the resurrection lily, symbolizes death and renewal and is often used at funerals.

The pine lily, a native of Florida and coastal regions, requires hot, wet, acidic soil which is inhospitable to other species, and therefore represents adaptability and compliance.

The white lily or Madonna lily symbolizes purity, commitment, and devotion, and is often associated with motherhood, however, in Chinese culture, a white flower can symbolize ghosts and death.

The Formosa lily thrives in tropical climates, and is the last of the lilies to flower, typically in August. As a late-bloomer, it symbolizes forging your own path on your own schedule.

The Victory Lily, a hybrid created by Nether Mae, represents victory in war, as well as triumph over adversity.

Though not lilies in the strictest sense…

The sword lily, better known as the gladiolus, symbolizes heroism and strength.

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) whose white blooms bring to mind little surrender flags represents peace and surrender.