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Flowers in the Attic

Book 1 in the series:Dollanganger

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Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews is a disturbing and eerie story about four siblings who are hidden away in an attic by their mother. The plot revolves around the children's struggles with growing up, finding love, and dealing with abuse and neglect while trapped in the attic. The writing style is described as easy to read, yet the subject matter of the book is unsettling and controversial, touching on themes of incest, murder, and betrayal.

Many readers find the book captivating and addictive, with a plot that keeps them engaged and emotionally invested in the characters. The author, V.C. Andrews, is praised for her ability to create a dark and twisted story that resonates with readers, making them empathize with the characters' plight despite the disturbing events that unfold in the narrative.

Characters:

Characters portray a wide range of emotional struggles, with nuanced depictions of innocence, betrayal, and trauma shaping their relationships and actions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by melodrama and flowery prose that sometimes undermines the gravity of the story, leading to a mixture of unease and fascination.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores dark family dynamics through the story of four children who are confined to an attic, facing emotional and physical abuse while dealing with their family's complex legacy.

Setting:

The setting in the attic of a grand mansion emphasizes themes of isolation and family secrets, contributing to the book's Gothic atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is dynamic, with initial slow moments that gradually build suspense as the children's dire situation unfolds.
Truly, when I was very young, way back in the Fifties, I believed all of life would be like one long and perfect summer day. After all, it did start out that way. There’s not much I can say about our ...

Notes:

The story centers on the Dollanganger family, particularly four siblings locked in an attic by their mother and grandmother.
The plot includes themes of incest, abuse, and survival, making it controversial and shocking to many readers.
The novel was published in 1979 and marked a departure from traditional young adult novels of the time by tackling dark and taboo subjects.
Cathy, the narrator, grapples with complicated feelings towards family, making her character particularly compelling and relatable despite her flaws.
The grandmother is portrayed as cruel and authoritarian, representing extreme traditional values and religious fanaticism in the story.
Many readers recall discovering the book at a young age, often in middle school, and it has garnered a cult following since its release.
The writing style has been described as 'flowery' and often clashes with the heavy themes of the story, leading to mixed reviews about the author's style.
The book's popularity has led to a series of sequels that continue the story of the Dollanganger siblings, each exploring different aspects of trauma and familial dysfunction.
Despite its controversial content, Flowers in the Attic has remained a staple in discussions about literature that explores darker aspects of human relationships.
The winning combination of gothic elements, familial betrayal, and survival has allowed it to endure as a 'guilty pleasure' read for many.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book has high content warnings due to themes of incest, child abuse, neglect, and psychological trauma.

Has Romance?

Romance is present but it is deeply intertwined with the themes of abuse and incest.

From The Publisher:

Celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the enduring gothic masterpiece Flowers in the Attic-the unforgettable forbidden love story that earned V.C. Andrews a fiercely devoted fan base and became an international cult classic.

At the top of the stairs there are four secrets hidden-blond, innocent, and fighting for their lives…

They were a perfect and beautiful family-until a heartbreaking tragedy shattered their happiness. Now, for the sake of an inheritance that will ensure their future, the children must be hidden away out of sight, as if they never existed. They are kept in the attic of their grandmother's labyrinthine mansion, isolated and alone. As the visits from their seemingly unconcerned mother slowly dwindle, the four children grow ever closer and depend upon one another to survive both this cramped world and their cruel grandmother. A suspenseful and thrilling tale of family, greed, murder, and forbidden love, Flowers in the Attic is the unputdownable first novel of the epic Dollanganger family saga.

The Dollanganger series includes: Flowers in the Attic, Petals in the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, Garden of Shadows, Beneath the Attic, and Out of the Attic.

Ratings (80)

Incredible (15)
Loved It (32)
Liked It (20)
It Was OK (8)
Did Not Like (4)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (153):

Read It (86)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (49)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (14)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
5 months

Very messed up book. I can’t even say much or I’ll spoil it. But there’s so many twist and turns that makes the story interesting.

 

About the Author:

One of the most popular authors of all time, V.C. Andrews® has been a bestselling phenomenon since the publication of Flowers in the Attic, first in the renowned Dollanganger family series, which includes Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows. The family saga continues with Christopher's Diary: Secrets of Foxworth, Christopher's Diary: Echoes of Dollanganger, and Secret Brother, as well as Beneath the Attic, Out of the Attic, and Shadows of Foxworth as part of the fortieth anniversary celebration. There are more than ninety V.C. Andrews novels, which have sold over 107 million copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty-five foreign languages. Join the conversation about the world of V.C. Andrews at Facebook.com/OfficialVCAndrews.

 
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