Author: V.C Andrews
Genre: Gothic
Type: Trade Paperback
Pages: 400
Source: Local Public Library
Series: #1 in the Dollanganger series
Publisher: Gallery Books
First Published: 1979
Opening Lines: It is so appropriate to color hope yellow, like that the sun we seldom saw. And as I bein to copy from the old memorandum journals that I kept for so long, a title comes as if inspired. Open the Window and Stand in the Sunshine.
Book Description from GoodReads: At the top of the stairs there are four secrets hidden. Blond, beautiful, innocent, and struggling to stay alive…
They were a perfect family, golden and carefree—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. Kept on the top floor of their grandmother’s vast mansion, their loving mother assures them it will be just for a little while. But as brutal days swell into agonizing months and years, Cathy, Chris, and twins Cory and Carrie realize their survival is at the mercy of their cruel and superstitious grandmother…and this cramped and helpless world may be the only one they ever know.
Book One of the Dollanganger series, followed by Petals in the Wind, If There be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows.
They were a perfect family, golden and carefree—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. Kept on the top floor of their grandmother’s vast mansion, their loving mother assures them it will be just for a little while. But as brutal days swell into agonizing months and years, Cathy, Chris, and twins Cory and Carrie realize their survival is at the mercy of their cruel and superstitious grandmother…and this cramped and helpless world may be the only one they ever know.
Book One of the Dollanganger series, followed by Petals in the Wind, If There be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows.
My Rating: 2 stars
My Review: I initially read (much to my mother's chagrin and clear disapproval), Flowers in the Attic and the other four books in the series when I was about 13 years old. I remember loving this book with its eerie Gothic vibe and disturbing topics featuring a messed up family, four children who were locked away and a Grandma who was clearly Satan's handmaiden in another life.
After re-reading this book, I came to one conclusion. My 13-year old self and my current self have very different views of what makes a good read. 'Bless your heart,13-year-old self!'
I thank the book gods that this was an easy book to skim because it was just ... not ... good. The writing is overly descriptive, repetitive and although it has a creepy edge to it, it is quite juvenile and regularly cringeworthy. The plot has its shocking themes (torture, psychotic adults, illicit love - the trashy trifecta!) but the pacing is frustratingly slow. Honestly, not a lot happens unless you enjoy pages upon pages of descriptions of bored kids stuck in an attic for years and icky 'romantic' connections. Me at 13? Sadly, yes. Me in my 40's? Umm, not s'much.
This was a nostalgic, but not enjoyable, re-read for me. It's fast food for bookworms - not really satisfying or good for you but it'll do in a pinch and probably make you wish you had skipped it. Part of me wishes that I hadn't re-read it but at least I've confirmed that I require more substance to my books as I age. Can I get a hallelujah!
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