Petals on the Wind (Dollanganger, #2) in V.C. Andrews

Sep 29, 2011 Connie J.estrada rated it it was amazing

FROM THE MOMENT DR.PAUL TOOK IN CHRIS, CATHY, AND CARRIE I KNEW HE AND CATHY WOULD END UP IN BED. SHE (THE AUTHOUR) MADE IT TO OBVIOUS, THE SHORT NIGHTY, THE LONG STARES HE WOULD GIVE HER. I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT (OR TATHER HOPING NOT) CATHY HAD MISSCARRIED WHEN SHE AUDITIONED FOR MADAME MASHA AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE WAS BLEEDING PURFUSELY. I KEPT ON HOPING AND SAYING "NO, OH PLEASE NO!" I REALLY WANTED CORRINE TO SUFFFER MORE, FOR HER WORLD TO LITTERLY CRUMBLE AND FOR ALL OF THOSE AROUND HER LO ...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2014-reading-list, own

With Lifetime releasing the sequel to the Flowers in the Attic movie, I decided to re-read the book again.

Petals on the Wind has always been one of my favorites. I think no matter how much I change, I will still have a secure place for it in my heart. Is the book perfect? Far from it. Yet even after all this time, I am still drawn to it despite its flaws. It kind of hurt to not have the same feelings toward the book that I originally did, but I was young (14!) when I first read this. It's been o With Lifetime releasing the sequel to the Flowers in the Attic movie, I decided to re-read the book again.

Petals on the Wind has always been one of my favorites. I think no matter how much I change, I will still have a secure place for it in my heart. Is the book perfect? Far from it. Yet even after all this time, I am still drawn to it despite its flaws. It kind of hurt to not have the same feelings toward the book that I originally did, but I was young (14!) when I first read this. It's been over ten years and I've become less naive and more mature.

In a way, I think the original is the best book of the series. Even at a young age, I found Cathy to be a tiring narrator. I especially got annoyed with her during this re-reading. While I admire her strength at times, for the majority of the book she lets others, particularly men, step all over her. She is also so hell bent on her revenge that it seems to be the only thing she can think of. Maybe that's the point--to show Cathy becoming more like her mother.

I didn't really care for any of the men in Cathy's life. They are all abusive or controlling in one way or another. I know the book is set in the 60s/70s and feminism was just starting, but the rape/abuse apologetic kind of drove me crazy at times. For example, pretty much every man Cathy falls for (or vice versa) blames her for turning them on and making them do things they claim they normally wouldn't. That just doesn't sit well with me.

I wish there had been at least one romantic partner I could have totally rooted for. While I liked certain qualities in some of the romantic leads, they were all terrible overall. Rape and/or abuse isn't something I take lightly, and since pretty much all the men commit either one or both, it's hard to completely like any of them.

Carrie is probably my favorite character in the book and her outcome always makes me sad. The big climax at the end is always worth the read. I'm intrigued on how the movie will deal with some of these subjects present in the book. This book is like a really intense soap opera.

Out of pure girlhood nostalgia and because V.C. Andrews can write the most jaw-dropping of books, I will keep the 5 star rating. Despite all the flaws and uncomfortable feelings, it's just a book I'll never really be able to look badly on. ...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Marie rated it it was amazing

Petals on the Wind is titled appropriately. The children that were trapped for so many years in the attic are now free because they escaped the attic! They are off to start a new life. (view spoiler) This book is all about Cathy’s revenge against her mother. It consumes her and becomes her whole life outside of her wonderful world of ballet. This is probably my favorite book out of the series besides Flowers. ...more

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