Flowers in the Attic- 40th Anniversary Edition by V. C. Andrews
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Web ID: 16836870A Disturbing Tale of Greed and Neglect
Flowers in the Attic is novel that you can't stop reading despite its disturbing theme. As a reader I was sometimes repelled by the topics author VC Andrews broached, but I was curious enough about the story to continue reading until the very end. In the book the Dollangangers are an attractive family with four children. But when the father dies tragically leaving them destitute, their only option is to move in with mother Corinne's estranged parents, who own a massive estate home. Complicating the matter is Corinne's father is gravely ill but he does not know she has any children, which he stipulates would nullify her inheritance of his vast wealth. Upon arriving at the grandparent's home, the four children are locked in a room that has no outlet except for access to a huge attic, and are guarded by their strict, impervious grandmother. They must stay there until Corinne can gently break the news she is a mother, but still worthy of her father's inheritance. As time passes the mother brings presents for the children but keeps extending the time they must stay hidden. Out of boredom, the children play in the attic and grow more anxious about their predicament. They also fear seeing the grandmother, who brings food and enforces a strict behavioral code. The development of the children suffers as they are locked together in the room, especially when the oldest, Christopher and Cathy, enter puberty and are confused by their bodily changes. The youngest two, who are twins, are physically stunted, but the mother seems not to notice. Eventually the children realizes they must escape, even if it means risking their lives. The story is told from Cathy's perspective throughout the book. It's distressing to see how she quietly suffers, hoping she and the other will soon be released and be part of a huge inheritance. The book's theme weighs the importance of living freely vs. having wealth that puts severe conditions of your life choices. In the end I recommend the book but advise that it covers some painful themes.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
YA has changed over the years....
I read this as a teenager and loved it, but it's a little salacious for what I see being put out now.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Flowers in the Attic: Great entertainment!
The Dollanganger family is a complete disaster. The largest twist: V.C. Andrews makes sure you don't find out about until you've finished reading. You're left guessing what will happen next on every page. Cathy, Chris, Cory, and Carrie are the four innocent children who were locked up in an attic. In a raging car accident, their father dies, leaving their mother with no choice (and no money) but to return to their grandmother's torture. It feels like an eternity as a few months spent in the attic transforms into years. I don’t exactly know how to describe if this novel was “good or bad” but it was definitely entertaining. This is not your typical novel and not the type I would pick out first hand. As a thirteen-year-old myself, this novel is not super relatable and at times I struggled reading it. After reading this book, I definitely recommend it for young adults in their late teens. Some of the graphics that the book portrays are mature and not for the faint of heart Flowers in the Attic is a book I found in the adult fiction section. Traditionally, the book was directed at teenage girls. I'm familiar with a few books that contain unsettling elements, but Flowers in the Attic raised the bar to a disturbing new level. This book is now housed in the section for adults. There's no chance you'll find it among the teen books! Do read this book if you can tolerate the intense psychological drama of incest, deaths, and emotional violence. It's one of those books where you're left asking, "What did I just read?" Personally, I would give this book a 6/10 because of the lack of relatability and the mature scenes not particularly meant for a young teen.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I watched the movie once...wanted to read the book
I am enjoying this book so far! Just got done with Part One. Now I'm gonna read Part Two.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com