Book Reviews

Flowers in the Attic

FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by V.C Andrews

I loved this book. Now, if you've read this book or heard of it, give me a chance to explain myself. I cried so hard for these two damn books (I'm only talking about the first one but the book I bought actually has the first two books) and I loved every minute of it. It is the most delightfully twisted thing I had ever read and have ever read (I read these two books when I was in fourth grade, I shit you not. Yes, my mother never really monitored or cared what I watched or read, which I don't think was a bad thing. At least I'm not a sex, alcohol, or drug addict. I think I turned out pretty awesome. And this whole thing justification I've been writing will make sense if you read the books and see how fucked up they really are). I think they are both beautiful stories, capturing the greed and betrayal and devotion and craving for comfort and attention and love in a way that is uncanny. It personifies fate and human nature. There's an incestuous relationship (well, somewhat) but it's based on such purity that it isn't nasty to me. It's not even overly filled with lust or anything. It's just a love so strong, borne out of the need for love and connection, that overflowed from a brother and sister bond to something more. The whole first book pretty much only takes place in an attic and you'd be surprised at just what that can do to a person, let alone children. And when you realize when they are in there, why they were kept there for so many years, it'll make your heart break. And you'll see the absolute best and worst of human nature all in one book. It is amazing and I honestly love this book. I've kept it throughout the years, through having moved three times and I still reread it. I genuinely love this book and I fall in love with it anew every time I open it. I don't care if you think it's disgusting or something. To me, it's like a masterpiece about our inner nature and it's as beautiful as it is ugly.

I know I've said that I fall in love with books easily and it's true. But if you genuinely want something amazing to read, read this. It is easily one of my favorite books and I've read what is probably close to hundreds of books. It's fantastic. I don't know what I need to say to make you want to read this book but damn it, just read this book. It's that gorgeous model that is all at once ugly, classy, and revealing in the most unconventional way. I loved this book and it's something that I've kept close because of my love. Hell, I kept this book in my backpack for a whole damn year to keep it handy.

Yeah, the writing isn't the absolute best. I think it's just a pinch rough around the edges but that's just me because I'm picky.

I give this book an A (the second book is more like a C+ or B to me, by the way).

Summary:

Now, I don't want to ruin this in the summary so I'll keep it brief. Four children, Chris, Cathy, Carrie, and Cory (the last two are twins, a boy and girl) have to stay in an attic. Their lives start out perfect but slowly go downhill. People reveal their rotten natures when cooped up too long. These kids are pushed beyond their limits in ways they never should have to. They are promised that they will only stay in that attic for a short time but it turns into years (minor spoiler, sorry). Their mother is a coward who has no identity besides the man she is with. She has no backbone and she is probably one of the most despicable human beings that I have ever read about. Even though she looks like a rose, she smells like rotten garbage covered in bile (basically the most horrible smell you could think of).

But there is redemption. It looks bad, really bad, for a while but these kids are strong.

There is so much shit that happens to them, and they aren't perfect (remember, there is an incestuous relationship here) but they are strong. And noble, in a way. I love how they love each other so intensely, how close they are, the things they are willing to do for each other (going so far as to feed the younger kids blood because they hadn't had anything to eat for far too long). Any one of the kids would bend over backwards and then some for one of their siblings and I find it beautiful. There's so much love, longing, desire for comfort and affection, for simple sunshine, it's all so amazing to me. If you have any sort of love or interest in psychology, I would recommend this book a thousand times over.

I love this book. I find it beautiful in the way that I think it is art. I think that it is interesting and revealing to human nature in itself and under extreme conditions but its open to interpretation to a degree. Which enhances its beauty.

I just really do adore this book. It isn't too long. Read it. It's gorgeous and it makes me feel so much every time I open it. I want you to experience this, because it is an experience in and of itself.

You might feel differently. You might think I'm crazy for liking it so much or you might simply not like it. But I recommend it either way. Different people think of the same experience in different ways.

Either way, it's worth experiencing.