Now a major Lifetime movie event–Book Three of the Dollanganger series that began with “Flowers in the Attic”–the novel of forbidden love that captured the world’s imagination and earned V.C. Andrews a fiercely devoted fanbase. They hide the shocking truth to protect their children. But someone who knows their dark secret is watching. Christopher and Cathy have made a loving home for their … their handsome and talented teenager Jory, their imaginative nine-year-old Bart, and a sweet baby daughter. Then an elderly woman and her strange butler move in next door. The Old Woman in Black watches from her window, lures lonely Bart inside with cookies and ice cream, and asks him to call her “grandmother.” Slowly Bart transforms, each visit pushing him closer to the edge of madness and violence, while his anguished parents can only watch. For Cathy and Chris, the horrors of the past have come home…and everything they love may soon be torn from them.
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3+ of 5 stars to If There Be Thorns, the third book in the “Dollanganger” series written in 1981 by V.C. Andrews. After the first two books, I didn’t think you could keep the thrills and suspense going in this series, mostly because one family can only endure so much torture over the years. Surprisingly, I actually found I liked a large part of this book; however, it was a bit excessive and drawn out at times. The story, told from the perspective of Cathy and Chris’ kids, continues the saga of the torture from a wicked grandmother and mother, combining religious beliefs and family values. And it’s got a Gothic ending to keep readers enthralled the the concept of “payback’s a bitch!”
I love the series because it pushes the envelope. This one explores the theme of adoption, when two half brothers explore and learn who their fathers were and who they thought they were. Cathy and Chris are siblings, yet they are in a relationship and raising two kids. Jory and Bart are examples of good and bad growing up in a loving household, but tortured by the past. When Cathy and Chris’ mom re-enters the picture, you know something bad is gonna go down. And it takes one of the boys on a trail of vengeance. Mostly unrealistic, the books take you on a little jaunt into the wild imaginations of a tortured family who have done nothing but brought on their own destruction. Yes, some of them are innocent; some cross a line not really intending to harm anyone else. Others are truly out to instill pain, and some are just ill. Finding the balance among the different family members is good entertainment. There really aren’t any lessons in these books… just pure drama!
If There Be Thorns is the third book in the Dollanganger series that started with Flowers In The Attic. It begins with Cathy and Christopher living together and raising Cathy’s two sons. The oldest is Jory, Julian Marquet’s son—Cathy’s first husband, and the youngest is Bart, who is the son of Dr. Paul Scott Sheffield (or is he?)—Cathy’s second husband. The story is creepy right from the start as Cathy, who seems a little off in the head, insists on adopting an orphan girl named Cindy. Next, a strange old lady with a weird servant moves in next door. When Bart starts coming around they befriend him with treats, pets, and a journal that seems to be written by one of his ancestors…old Malcolm Winslow. Bart quickly becomes twisted and violent as he learns more and more about his true beginnings. If you like intrigue, drama, complicated relationships that are often incestuous, and really insane people, you will love this gothic horror story.
I’ve yet to find the words to express this writer’s gift in the way that I am completely captured and anxiously awaiting to begin the next book. And i love each series I have read. Very talented writer.