From the Bookshelf of Read by Theme…

Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, #1)

V.C. Andrews

Start date: September 4, 2012

Why we're reading this: I Chose this one because it has been such a long time since reading the book, and I saw another also read…more
[close] I Chose this one because it has been such a long time since reading the book, and I saw another also reading this book for the theme as well. So if anyone likes who happens to be reading or have read wants to discuss it, I am up for it :D

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Mar 30, 2013 honeybee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, 2013-reads, re-read, outstanding

I first read this book when I was a teenager. At the time I overlooked many of the disturbing aspects of the story. The parts that I DID recall faded and seemed unimportant in retrospect to what stands out now I’ve re-read the story. As a teenager what I remember more than anything was Cathy dancing in the attic while trapped like a princess in a tower, and the swing Christopher made for the twins that hung from the roofs high beams as they laughed and played. Not a true reflection of the story I first read this book when I was a teenager. At the time I overlooked many of the disturbing aspects of the story. The parts that I DID recall faded and seemed unimportant in retrospect to what stands out now I’ve re-read the story. As a teenager what I remember more than anything was Cathy dancing in the attic while trapped like a princess in a tower, and the swing Christopher made for the twins that hung from the roofs high beams as they laughed and played. Not a true reflection of the story of the Flowers in the attic.
I was amazed at all the hidden locked away memories I must have kept with me all these years regarding the fictional Foxworth hall. For as I re-read I found myself re-visiting the descriptions of the attic with a clear and nostalgic de-ja-vu.
I recalled it all, the room the children were locked in. I suddenly felt like I had been there once, which came as a surprise. The bedspreads, the dark high curtains on the windows and even the view from the attic roof, all claustrophobic and dark memories like I had been too long! I wanted to escape before the story had even started and all this just because I read the description of the room, and they had only walked in on the first night. As soon as prompted I was back there and reliving a very old dream 15 years later.
Some have said on here, they found the book boring “nothing happened?!” they complained. I believe that what they are feeling is the sense of imprisonment the children had to deal with in the story, the lack of having no choices or having no freedom, the drudgery, the boredom and the monotamy. The misery. In some ways those people have proven Andrews a skilled writer as that was the sense of hopelessness she wanted to convey. Had they read on further they would of scene it was much deeper then reading about children that had “nothing to do” it was about the limits to the human spirit and the devastation extremes can have on peoples lives. Whether that be extreme greed (the mother), extreme control (the grandmother) or extreme (be it unwillingly) dependents on those that exploited those around them.

*End of the book spoiler incoming*

I had forgotten at the end that it was all for nothing and the grandfather had been dead for some time. I wonder why the children then ran away without first confronting the mother and demanding some money in order to buy their silence since they now knew she was very rich and had all but abandoned them. Perhaps it was not in their nature, or perhaps they had been invisible to the world for so long they didn’t know how to be heard?
I wondered what would have also happened in an alternative universe if they decided not to throw the 2 sugared donuts and the mouse into the trash can, before they walked away. It was the evidence that would have changed everything.
But then, a second and final book about a court case, the children becoming media stars and seeing the grandmother and mother being locked up in jail and justice being served....?
Well, that just wouldn’t have been V.C Andrews’s story.
...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Claire Bearman rated it it was amazing

First ever book I have read right to the end! Brilliant! I know I have no experience of reading other novels to be able to compare but I really liked this book and I'm glad I chose it to be my first. ...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Celeste rated it really liked it

It had been so long since AI read this story. And its still as dark and fascinating as I remember. I don't think I can ever get the image of children locked in an attic making flowers to some how make it better.

I would recommend this book to just about anyone. ...more

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