A review by sylvainxweber
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

5.0

Recently, my mother and I were having a conversation about different books that we both enjoyed as the two of us tend to have similar tastes in literature. At some point during our conversation, she brought up the Dollanganger series - a series I had heard of, but never quite read - so of course, I had to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible.

While many may be turned off by the macabre, disturbing themes within the book, I found myself becoming even more entranced with the story flourishing within my mind, and I couldn't stop turning the pages! I completely understand the appeal that some may lack for such a novel. I brought this book absolutely everywhere with me, just as I do with any other book I read, but this time, I was truly excited to crack the book open and resume the Dollanganger story whenever I could, stuck in their lives just as much as they were stuck within the attic.

V.C. Andrews' writing style fits perfectly with the Gothic horror feel, and though this is my first experience with the Andrews catalogue, I can only hope that the rest of her books are crafted in a similar manner to this one. Her writing is so excruciatingly detailed in all the right ways during the most disturbing of scenes; I think one scene that will always stick with me is when

Spoiler

Chris and Cathy are so desperate to escape and save their younger siblings that they're willing to almost eat dead mice just to get their strength back

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I could talk about this book for hours, but as to not disturb or spoil the experience for others, it's simply a beautifully grim story crafted in such a memorable way. You can really feel the urgency, agony, and mental confusion they face alongside the siblings as they mature and grow, and I think that is one of the greatest aspects this book has to offer.