Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

6 reviews

dizzyizzyy's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Sexism, Violence, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Incest, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny

turpial23's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

1.0

Basically a narrative of many types of child abuse, in graphic detail. No actual plot, no character growth, not even exceptional writing - just misery and terror. Not apt for children. I would never recommend this series to anyone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Body shaming, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Rape

blxnc_'s review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Body horror, and Child abuse

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I decided to read this cult classic because my mom told me several years ago that it was the first book she remembers really enjoying. I was skeptical, because like many, all I had ever heard about this book was that there was an incestuous relationship depicted in it. However, what I actually read wasn't simply a story about a brother and sister hooking up. That is a thing within the pages, but it is truly a small, small aspect. It is a book that explores child abuse, trauma bonds, and asks the question: just how cruel will a person be in the name of fortune? how far will they go? what makes the world go 'round, love or money? I honestly think that this book is a haunting example of just how cruel humanity can be and there are so many discussions to be had.

Having said that, the writing itself isn't that great. The story itself had me hooked from page one though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, Car accident, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Confinement, Incest, and Animal cruelty

bashsbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Honestly, My Sweet Audrina will always be the darling of my VC Andrews heart. But I still greatly enjoyed Flowers in the Attic, and I completely understand why people love it. Andrews is a master at the gothic novel, and even when she is predictable, it's just so compelling that you have to keep reading. Cathy is a fascinating narrator, and I could write a dissertation on the impact of her first-person perspective alone - and then a whole second one about Christopher's character development.

I am interested to see how much Andrews' writing will hold up outside of a confined space in Petals on the Wind.

Also, what the fuck is up with how Simon & Schuster reprints are marketed? The covers suck and the tagline for this book -"The Classic Story of Forbidden Love" - seems wildly off-target. Yes, there is sibling incest, but I wouldn't say that's the primary thing that this about.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Incest, Murder, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Minor: Eating disorder, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Fatphobia, and Racism

renee_chrys's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Gaslighting, Medical content, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence