Has anyone ever written a graduate thesis on this book?

[Lisa]

I'm asking because despite the sensationalism this book brought to the masses it was the predecessor to the current crop of Young Adult books such as the 'Twilight' series. I just recently re-read the first two books of the series and although the experience was far different from the first time I read them, I was struck as to the attitudes about incest, sex in general, and the role of women as portrayed by V. C. Andrews.

[Kathryn]

Midwestocean wrote: "I'm asking because despite the sensationalism this book brought to the masses it was the predecessor to the current crop of Young Adult books such as the 'Twilight' series. I just recently re-read..."

It would be very interesting if someone did write a thesis on it. I read it for the first time when I was about 18, but had seen the movie a few years beforehand. I ended up reading the first three or so in the series. I think Flowers in the Attic really portrays what society can be like when it comes to unwanted children, and how people will do anything to hide them, no matter what the cost is. Also, I think really shows how evil people can be, especially when someone forces a situation on them. I was surprised the mother Corrine didn't take the children out of the house when Grandmother demanded the things she did. But, I guess if one really thought about the situation, and her desire for money, I guess someone could make a case there. Also, I really even wonder if the mother had any intention of taking the children out once her father died. The whole situation is very strange and complex because there are so many ways one could argue for and against the mother's and grandmother's behavior. This book was definitely like no other. It was great..though, I felt the series kind of went downhill after the second book.