Maybe it is my age, maybe I wanted to reminisce, or maybe, just maybe I wanted to be caught up in the atmosphere yet again that Virginia Andrews portrayed in the Dark Gothic Novel of Flowers In The Attic.
This is a story, that has stayed with me, I am unsure if I borrowed it from the library or had my own copy, but I do remember reading it as a young teen and being horrified, engrossed, and captivated by the story.
This of all the series is my favourite. The bleakness of what Cathy and Chris went through is unbelievable, but it has been noted it is possible for the book to be based on true events.
I don't re read many books, there are too many I want to read, my reading genre changes, or the style of writing captivates me and I am always on the look out for new authors, to mix with the ones I read with current series and standalones.
I did download Flowers In The Attic, although I really wanted a paperback copy, I don't think my eyes could have read it, and besides as it happened I read late in to the night - my kindle fire is perfect for this with black background and white text.
Did I enjoy re reading the book? I did, I remembered parts of the story, but not all. What I had forgotten was the way it was told through Cathy's experience, and she did mention her brothers and sisters plight also, but it was Cathy with her accusations and a more realistic look at the events that were happening to them.
Virginia Andrews cleverly managed to tell us this as part fairy tale, and I always now say I love books with an element of fairy tale added to the horror. Was this where it started for me?
Recently reading Rebecca for the first time by Daphne Du Maurier gave me the same feeling of darkness, but weaved within a beautiful way to describe and tell a story.
If you are looking for a more recent author of this style I suggest reading Flowers For The Dead by Barbara Copperthwaite.
The story of Flowers In The Attic was and still is a powerful portrayal of family loyalty, religion, taboo subjects and horror, to be taken and kept hidden to such an extent was as difficult to read now as back in my teens, I did download the second book immediately, but unsure if I will follow on with the rest, if so, the first two have quenched my thirst for re reading this series for now.
A timeless and ageless read, and I enjoyed the re reading of these. What better way to spend a damp Bank Holiday Easter Weekend, than curling up with a nostalgic read, chocolate, and being whisked away into another world.