Im 20 years old and am an avid reader. I also like writing which is what inspired me to come on her...
Im 20 years old and am an avid reader. I also like writing which is what inspired me to come on here and write reviews for things. I like the thought of people reading what i've written and actually rating and commenting on it.
Member since:05.04.2008
Reviews:32
Members who trust:5
Buying The Book
This book was bought for me as part of a set. I'd read one of the set already, fell in love with it and just had to read the rest of the set.
The Book
Garden of Shadows is a prequel to Flowers In The Attic, it details how the grandmother (Olivia) and grandfather (Malcolm) got together and how things happened to them that would inevitably change the course of the lives of the Foxworth clan for at least another three generations.
Olivia Winfield was seen as an old maid, she was tall and broad, which were seen as unfeminine in those days. When all her friends were married off she was still alone, living with her father. Then one day Malcolm Foxworth came into their lives, little did she know at the time he had set out to find a bride, any bride to help take care of his house and business. He also wanted a wife who was the opposite of his flighty mother who abandoned him at the age of five.
Once married and back at Foxworth Hall, Olivia
began to realise that Malcolm didn't really love her. They had separate bedrooms and he never came to her at night. The first time she slept with him was a virtual rape when he caught her in his mothers old bedroom and started calling he by his mothers name (Corinne), implying he was fantasising about his mother. This encounter led to the birth of their first child Malcolm jr aka Mal. He didn't come to her again for a while until one night he came to her and said he wanted a daughter. Again she fell pregnant, this time however she had a hard pregnancy and birth and the baby was a boy, a very sickly boy named Joel. She was advised not to have anymore children and it seemed Malcolm would never have the daughter he so wanted.
When their sons were growing into toddlers, Malcolms father Garland returns home after a few years away on honeymoon with his young bride Alicia, Alicia is even younger than Olivia, and heavily pregnant. Alicia is beautiful where Olivia is plain. Malcolm becomes infatuated with her. Alicia gives birth to a son, Christopher. Garland dotes on him. They all muddle along for the next year, until Christophers 1st birthday party. After the celibrations are over Garland finds Malcolm forcing himself on Alicia, they struggle and Garland dies of a heart attack.
Alicia goes into mourning for a long time. Then, all of a sudden, she is pregnant. With Malcolms child. They shut Alicia away in the room that will later become the prison for the four "dresden dolls" of later books. Olivia pretends she is pregnant as they are going to pass the child off as theirs. Alicia begins to lose her mind. She gives birth to a daughter, Corinne. Once she has given birth Alicia and Christopher are sent away with nothing.
Malcolm undermines Olivia and insists Corinne be raised as he see's fit, she ends up a spoilt brat. Olivias beloved sons Mal and Joel die very close to one another and all that is left is corinne. Then, one day Christopher comes back, he is a young man now and Corinne is a teenager. Corinne thinks this exciting new stranger is her half uncle, when really he is her half brother.
Christopher and Corinne gradually fall in love, but keep it a secret. Until one day Malcolm and Olivia find out. Malcolm throws them oout and curses them. He then had a heart attack and starts on a path of sickness which will contribute to further books.
Christopher and Corinne go away and get married, taking on the name Dollanganger, which is a name used by an ancestor. Olivia hires a private investigator to see if they have any children, and is told that they have four perfect children. Grandchildren that she can never love.
The book ends with the arrival of Corinne and the children at the house after the death of Christopher.
The Author
Virginia Andrews died in 1986, leaving alot of unpublished work. The Flowers In The Attic series is by far the best she ever wrote. A ghost writer now carries on her work.
What I Thought Of It
I thought this was a brilliant book because it explains alot more of the back story than any of the other books do. It slots a few things in place regarding how and why things turned out as they did. Such as why they grandmother was so cold and evil. Also why Corinne was disinherited.
I thought it was very well written and had some great plot twists, it keeps you on your toes the whole time, never giving you the time to get bored and restless.
My recommendations
I recommend that everyone should read this series at least once. If you do buy the series I think it is best to start with this book and then continue with the others. It helps you figure out the plot alot better.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Great review, but I must admit I prefer it when I'm not told the whole plot in a book review as it kind of spoils it if you wan to read it yourself. You write really wel though and laid out nicely. x
Advantages: Shocks and Thrills, Excellent Writing, The Best Book I Have Ever Read ! Disadvantages: None - Although Those Hoping That Books By Her Ghost Writer Will Match Up, Will Disappointed
Jun 2nd, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
