These treasures were the epitome of an attic find! While moving house my mum came along hundreds of her old books that she'd stashed away when she was a twenty-something! Now my mum and my sister had tried to convince me to read the first book when I was a bit younger, but I found them a bit too dark - but when I picked them up this time, i was enthralled!
#1 Flowers in the Attic #2 Petals on the Wind #3 If There Be Thorns #4 Seeds of Yesterday #5 Garden of Shadows
This is a series that I have read, and re-read, and re-read all over again - and each time i understand different and further parts of the story that make me love it even more. The story line in definitely not for the faint hearted.
The books may not be great literature, but it's an amazing story nonetheless. And I disagree completey with all the people who say that it would have been better with the incest taken out. I found that that was essential to the horror of FITA, and it turned the characters into flawed humans. And by the end of the book, the narrator's future looks promising and the reader is left believing that perhaps she and her brother will become better and stronger people. As for this being a true story, as far as I know, it was never proven that it was. I read that V.C. Andrews used some real life events in her book, but she never disclosed which parts were based on truth.
Cathy is still the narrator in the next sequel, which is not as grim as its predecessor, but has ten times the amount of incest. Returning characters include Chris and Carrie, of course, and Corrine, the grandmother and Bartholomew Winslow. Cathy is still haunted by her past.
I am one of those people who tend to prefer the characters whom others hate, or simply disregard. In Julian's case, he is seen as nothing more than a wife-beater. But he is definitely more than that!
Many will say that the mystery surrounding the events, and the characters, is enough to drive you nuts! One thing is for sure, her books keep you guessing, even after the last page is turned - what more could you want?
The next two books are set up differently from other V.C.A. novels. The story is told from the points of view of Bartholomew Scott Winslow Sheffield, Julian Janus Marquet Sheffield aka Jory, and a little bit of Cathy. I'm really struggling on what to say with these novels without giving away the plot!
The last book is not just a prequel - it's the most thrilling, enticing prequel i've ever read. It answer's questions you didn't even know you had, and you're left feeling like you know more about the characters lives than any of them do!
i highly, highly, highly recommend this series to anyone that just needs to disappear - even if it's just for that half an hour before bed. The books are so easy to pick up, put down and pick up again whenever you have a free few minutes.
If you have any recommendations for some new books please let me know :) knowledge is useless if not shared!
beccxbeauty xoxox
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