Flowers in the Attic - V.C. Andrews

Reading Challenge Category: A Re-read

Official Blurb:

At the top of the stairs there are four secrets hidden—blond, innocent, and fighting for their lives…
They were a perfect and beautiful family—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. They are kept in the attic of their grandmother’s labyrinthine mansion, isolated and alone. As the visits from their seemingly unconcerned mother slowly dwindle, the four children grow ever closer and depend upon one another to survive both this cramped world and their cruel grandmother. A suspenseful and thrilling tale of family, greed, murder, and forbidden love, Flowers in the Attic is the unputdownable first novel of the epic Dollanganger family saga.

My Thoughts:

I have read this book more times than I can remember, but it has been about four years since I last read it, so I've never actually reviewed it! I've struggled lately to really get into a book, so I decided it was time to dust this one down and settle into what I knew would be an enthralling read.
This isn't my favourite of V.C. Andrews' series, everyone that knows me knows that is 'Heaven'. However, this comes a close second, and I do like to re-immerse myself in the Dollanganger world every couple of years.
I'm glad I left it so long this time as, even though I could remember the main parts, I couldn't remember all the details. So, it felt as if I were discovering these characters and their struggles anew. It always takes me by surprise the horrors inflicted on these children locked away for three years and five months of their young lives. I dread the hair scene every time I read it, and I always think it's going to be sooner than it is. So, I think "let's just get that bit over so we can truly enjoy the book". However, it doesn't happen until about 60% of the way in, so my anxiety levels are through the roof reading and waiting for that.
I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the ending. I personally would want everyone to know the ordeal I had suffered; I'd be shouting it from the rooftops so everyone would know. I'm very excited to get started on book two, so we can continue the Dollanganger children's saga. I'd love to read a book from the mother's point of view during this time period. What was she truly up to and what were her thoughts. We are only able to guess and speculate.
This book certainly helped me get out of the reading slump I was in. I wanted to be back, curled up with this book at every spare moment I had. I've not felt like that for a few weeks, so it was the perfect recipe, it has heartache, laughter, discovery and true self-worth from the wonderfully developed characters.
I'm not sure it was the perfect timing; however, as reading about people being locked away against their will during a national lockdown and pandemic might not have been the best idea. I was sometimes reading sections and completely feeling what they were feeling at the lack of control and isolation of being locked away. However, it did heighten my sympathy for the characters, and once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will revisit this world once again in a couple of years time. For now, though I do have the other four books to read!

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