Review - Flowers In The Attic

Flowers in the Attic
The Dollanganger Family Series
By V.C. Andrews
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub. Date: January 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1476775852
Pages: 400

Review:

It’s hard to believe the guilty pleasure novel Flowers in the Attic is over 34-years-old! I wasn't even born back in 1979 when Flowers in the Attic written by newcomer V.C. Andrews was published. The book about four siblings being locked up in a bedroom and attic for over three years was a huge success, but there was major controversy involving the incest theme involving a teenage brother and sister. The book has been banned from libraries and schools because of this, though over time some have put the book back on the shelves, it is still banded in some locations.

The book is told from the point-of-view of Catherine Leigh "Cathy" Dollanganger and centers on the there and half years when her siblings, Chris and twins Cory and Carrie, are hidden away in the vast Foxworth mansion. After their father died in a car accident, their mother, Corrine, drags them to live in her parent's house, where they are locked in a bedroom by their wicked Grandmother.

Their mother had been disinherited years ago when she married their father Christopher, and now the only way to get back in her father's grace is if she never had any children with her husband, so the Dollanganger children must be  away in a bedroom, which has access to the attic, until their grandfather dies.

During the first year their mother visits them on a daily basis, but as she starts to establish herself back into society, she distance herself from her children. Meanwhile, Chris and Cathy become less like brother and sister to the twins and more like farther and mother, as they take care of them and continue their schooling (well as much as they can). They’re fearful of their Grandmother, whom will give them severe punishment what she considers sinning. Being locked away has put stress on the twins and they are physically becoming ill. As for Chris and Cathy, they are starting to have intimate feelings for each other, despite the fact they are brother and sister.

Over the next seven years following the release, three sequels (Petals on the Wind, If There Be Thorns and Seeds of Yesterday) and one prequel (Garden of Shadows) were released, though the latter was published after V.C. Andrews' death. A ghost writer, Andrew Neiderman, finished writing Garden of Shadows, as well as the third book in The Casteel Family series, Fallen Hearts, and, of course, he has continued writing each new V.C. Andrews novel.

Due to the popularity of Flowers in the Attic, it was made into a major motion picture in 1987, but like many book-to-movie adaptations, there were many changes, including deleting the brother and sister romantic relationship. Plus, the ending was completely changed. Fans have been demanding a remake for years and they are finally getting their wish as LIFETIME will be airing a two-hour movie this Saturday, January 18, 2014, starring Heather Graham and Ellen Burstyn.


To tie-in for the remake's premiere, Gallery Books have reprinted the 1979 classic for whole new generation of eager readers, with a dazzling new cover art. I recall watching the PG original movie with my mom, aunt and grandma when I was a six-year-old, but I never took an interest in reading the book until I stumbled upon a hardback copy (missing a few pages) at a thrift store. Upon reading, I was instantly hooked into the Gothic world of the Dollanganger family; I even checked out the sequels at my local library. I seldom reread a book, but I was looking forward to reading the reprint of Flowers in the Attic, which I got my hands on an early copy. At a whopping 400 pages (I'm comparing this to the most recent ghostwriter's novels); I read the book in two days (and several cups of coffee). Some critics still complain about the nature of the book, but I think they're ignoring V.C. Andrew's incredible writing style. In my opinion, V.C. Andrews has been the last true Gothic writer and no other writer (sorry Neiderman) has been able to match her presence since her untimely death. Flowers in the Attic is a must read!

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.