Page 1 of 2

Lilac Roses

Posted: 08 Oct 2023, 17:16
by Olga Markova
Visiting London for the first time in her life, the first thing Nina wanted to do was to buy lilac roses. Do you think that this desire had a magical symbolism to it?

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 08 Oct 2023, 18:32
by Samantha Barnes 3
I didn't think of that possibility as I was reading, but lilac roses are associated with eternity or long life, so maybe they were referencing her many different lives.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 10 Oct 2023, 02:46
by Shally Z
That's such an interesting point you raise! The author seems very well-versed in the topic so I don't doubt she'd know the symbolism of the roses but I also wonder what she was intending when she included it...

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 10 Oct 2023, 06:26
by Anu Anand
Maybe the author knew that lilac roses are associated with eternity and gave importance to this minute detail. I also recall another incident from the book where Nina struggles to find the entrance to Ganieda's house. She then walks around the garden and notices lilac roses again and takes a moment to appreciate their fragrance. The perfume of the flowers seems to heighten her perceptual awareness, and eventually, she discovers the door.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 19 Oct 2023, 00:14
by Anusha Thatavarthi
I didn't give it much thought while reading the book, but now it seems like symbolism that the Lady of the Lake bought flowers, associating her with nature.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 20 Oct 2023, 01:45
by Anusha Thatavarthi
Anu Anand wrote: 10 Oct 2023, 06:26 Maybe the author knew that lilac roses are associated with eternity and gave importance to this minute detail. I also recall another incident from the book where Nina struggles to find the entrance to Ganieda's house. She then walks around the garden and notices lilac roses again and takes a moment to appreciate their fragrance. The perfume of the flowers seems to heighten her perceptual awareness, and eventually, she discovers the door.
I didn't catch that. That is such a great interpretation.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 20 Oct 2023, 04:34
by Anu Anand
Anusha Thatavarthi wrote: 20 Oct 2023, 01:45
Anu Anand wrote: 10 Oct 2023, 06:26 Maybe the author knew that lilac roses are associated with eternity and gave importance to this minute detail. I also recall another incident from the book where Nina struggles to find the entrance to Ganieda's house. She then walks around the garden and notices lilac roses again and takes a moment to appreciate their fragrance. The perfume of the flowers seems to heighten her perceptual awareness, and eventually, she discovers the door.
I didn't catch that. That is such a great interpretation.
Thank you, Anusha! It's these subtle details in books that make reading so enjoyable. It's like finding hidden treasures in the story. :techie-studyingbrown: :)

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 21 Oct 2023, 10:13
by Runan
The author of Nimue is very detailed and meticulous. Since lilac roses are symbolic of long life, eternity and happiness, she used them to hint at Nina’s time travel and the many lives she leads to find herself and her quest for happiness.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 24 Oct 2023, 18:56
by Christine Palmer
This detail passed me by when reading. Thanks for pointing out the possibility :-)

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 25 Oct 2023, 11:35
by Dana Youngblood
I did not realize the symbolism in her desire to find lilac roses. After reading through these responses, I definitely think they were in there intentionally. I wish I had known that going in to the book, they would have felt more significant than just a high school student wanting something pretty. Thank you all for sharing their meaning, it really helps bring it all together in such a subtle way!

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 26 Oct 2023, 11:51
by Jennifer Coxon
I had never heard of lilac roses, so to me this did turn out to be a foretelling of Nina having some connections to her past self. I think our subconscious remembers a lot of our past lives and they arise in a similar way.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 27 Oct 2023, 11:03
by Sara Rispo
It is undeniable that the desire expressed in the book holds a certain magical symbolism. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that this desire serves as a means for the reader to comprehend Nina's deep connection with nature. The book emphasizes the importance of nature, and this realization only reinforces the message that the author is trying to convey.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 04 Nov 2023, 17:58
by Somtochukwu O Ezeme
Lilac roses are associated with long life so it is most likely that her spirit is bringing her close to her life mission.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 06 Nov 2023, 06:44
by Ramadevi Tatavarthi
Lilac roses symbolize eternal life. I've been going with the flow of the book and didn't pay much attention to that detail. So, I didn't initially think that lilac roses had a connection, but now I suspect the author might have incorporated some significance.

Re: Lilac Roses

Posted: 14 Nov 2023, 07:27
by Enjani Matendeko
While still starting the book, I didn't think so. I felt she just wanted some color in her life. But, eventually, I had a rethink. She's somehow connected to nature, she probably felt its pull from her origin.