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Dollanganger #10
Out of the Attic
“I will probably be clutching Flowers in the Attic in my gnarled hands on my deathbed.” —GILLIAN FLYNN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sharp Objects
The twisted, beloved Dollanganger legend began two generations before Corrine Foxworth locked away her children in Flowers in the Attic. The second book in a new prequel story arc, Out of the Attic explores the Dollanganger family saga by traveling back decades to when the clan’s wicked destiny first took root.
Married to the handsome, wealthy Garland Foxworth following a wildfire romance, and an unexpected pregnancy, young Corrine Dixon finds her life very different from how she imagined it. Often alone in the mansion of Foxworth Hall, she can practically feel the ancestors’ judgment of her as insufficient—as not a Foxworth. Stern portraits glare at her from the walls, and the servants treat her strangely. Nothing in the vast place is truly hers.
Even her son, Malcolm Foxworth, born in the luxe Swan Room and instantly whisked away to a wet nurse, feels alien to her. With a husband alternately absent and possessively close, Corrine doesn’t yet realize that she’s barely scratched the surface of what lies beneath Foxworth Hall’s dark facade and the family that guards its legacies.
With the fortieth anniversary celebration of Flowers in the Attic, and ten new Lifetime movies in the past five years, there has never been a better time to experience the forbidden world of V.C. Andrews.
The twisted, beloved Dollanganger legend began two generations before Corrine Foxworth locked away her children in Flowers in the Attic. The second book in a new prequel story arc, Out of the Attic explores the Dollanganger family saga by traveling back decades to when the clan’s wicked destiny first took root.
Married to the handsome, wealthy Garland Foxworth following a wildfire romance, and an unexpected pregnancy, young Corrine Dixon finds her life very different from how she imagined it. Often alone in the mansion of Foxworth Hall, she can practically feel the ancestors’ judgment of her as insufficient—as not a Foxworth. Stern portraits glare at her from the walls, and the servants treat her strangely. Nothing in the vast place is truly hers.
Even her son, Malcolm Foxworth, born in the luxe Swan Room and instantly whisked away to a wet nurse, feels alien to her. With a husband alternately absent and possessively close, Corrine doesn’t yet realize that she’s barely scratched the surface of what lies beneath Foxworth Hall’s dark facade and the family that guards its legacies.
With the fortieth anniversary celebration of Flowers in the Attic, and ten new Lifetime movies in the past five years, there has never been a better time to experience the forbidden world of V.C. Andrews.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2020
361 people are currently reading
7212 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
370 books9,076 followersBooks published under the following names - Virginia Andrews, V. Andrews, Virginia C. Andrews & V.C. Endrius. Books since her death ghost written by Andrew Neiderman, but still attributed to the V.C. Andrews name
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
December 30, 2021
Out of the Attic by V.C. Andrews is the second book of a prequel series to the author’s famous Dollanganger series that began with Flowers in the Attic. Beneath the Attic was the first book that took readers readers back to the great grandmother of the Dollanganger children who were locked in that attic.
This series features Corrine Dixon who was at the age she was looking for a suitor to marry when she met Garland Foxworth. Garland was wealthy and handsome and intrigued Corrine but when she met up with him without a chaperone things went too far leaving Corrine pregnant however Garland did the right thing and married her bringing her to Foxworth Hall.
Now I’m sure a few people are asking how an author who died in the mid-80s is still releasing new material and that is due to her family hiring a ghostwriter to continue her work. Andrew Neiderman has written the books over the past several decades and some are still good but yet others I wish I didn’t keep getting pulled back by nostalgia, this would be one of those times. While I didn’t mind Beneath the Attic I think stretching this flashback to the grandmother further just lost my interest. If you loved the original series you may want to try this but this one just wasn’t for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
This series features Corrine Dixon who was at the age she was looking for a suitor to marry when she met Garland Foxworth. Garland was wealthy and handsome and intrigued Corrine but when she met up with him without a chaperone things went too far leaving Corrine pregnant however Garland did the right thing and married her bringing her to Foxworth Hall.
Now I’m sure a few people are asking how an author who died in the mid-80s is still releasing new material and that is due to her family hiring a ghostwriter to continue her work. Andrew Neiderman has written the books over the past several decades and some are still good but yet others I wish I didn’t keep getting pulled back by nostalgia, this would be one of those times. While I didn’t mind Beneath the Attic I think stretching this flashback to the grandmother further just lost my interest. If you loved the original series you may want to try this but this one just wasn’t for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 27, 2020
If you are a fan of the original V.C. Andrews please don't destroy your memories by reading this. I was a huge fan of V.C. Andrews and excited to read the background on the Flowers in the Attic series. This has been written by a ghostwriter, he destroyed the story and is a horrible writer! Childhood memories of reading this series 40 years ago and and then excitedly finding there was more....yes, a wee bit upset. Worst review I have ever had to write.
Want to read
February 22, 2020Giveaway win!
January 31, 2020
I grew up reading this book series so of course I jumped at the chance to read and learn about the beginning of the saga. I was both enthralled and disappointed at.The same time. The book explained the story 3 generations before the story. The book had some dark, evil happenings you would expect, but also had continuity errors, both with the historical times and prior aspects of the book. This one is a second part of a 3 part series making this prequel. I am looking forward to the next installment.
April 17, 2020
This was poorly written.
The author doesn't understand that people behaved differently and had different customs in 1890/5 than we do today.
He consistently treated the characters and the storyline as though it were taking place in current times.
Just yikes
The author doesn't understand that people behaved differently and had different customs in 1890/5 than we do today.
He consistently treated the characters and the storyline as though it were taking place in current times.
Just yikes
March 23, 2020
I've been reading V.C. Andrews books since the very beginning.
Yes, I've seen some bad reviews since the actual author has passed away many years ago and we have another author ghost writing it .
But something about this writing style, the gothic feel, the surprise waiting around every corner in the dark mansions. Most of these stories have the same story line basically, and you know what's coming but it keeps me coming back for more every time.
This is the only author I read in this genre and I really enjoy these books and will continue to read them all!
Published February 4th 2020 by Gallery Books
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Yes, I've seen some bad reviews since the actual author has passed away many years ago and we have another author ghost writing it .
But something about this writing style, the gothic feel, the surprise waiting around every corner in the dark mansions. Most of these stories have the same story line basically, and you know what's coming but it keeps me coming back for more every time.
This is the only author I read in this genre and I really enjoy these books and will continue to read them all!
Published February 4th 2020 by Gallery Books
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
August 20, 2019
I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I was able to read the previous book through Edelweiss and although they are not written by the real VC Andrews, I still enjoy reading more about the Foxworth clan. With that being said, this book delves even further into Corrine and Garner's marriage, Malcolm's childhood and where things start to go wrong. Interested to see where book 3 goes.
February 5, 2020
I have really enjoyed V.C. Andrews book before and so I was excited to read this one. Out of the Attic is a dark and twisted story that focuses on Corrine and Garland's marriage. It was dark and unexpected.
Admittedly, the story was hard to follow at times especially the timeline of events from both the past and present. I did like that we got to learn more about Corrine in this book.
I really wanted to like this one more but felt it too disoriented. There were parts that had the potential to be great but as a whole, it didn't piece/fit well.
I give Out of the Attic 3 stars. It has dark themes that is recognized by V.C. Andrews but lacked character development and timeline consistency.
Admittedly, the story was hard to follow at times especially the timeline of events from both the past and present. I did like that we got to learn more about Corrine in this book.
I really wanted to like this one more but felt it too disoriented. There were parts that had the potential to be great but as a whole, it didn't piece/fit well.
I give Out of the Attic 3 stars. It has dark themes that is recognized by V.C. Andrews but lacked character development and timeline consistency.
October 1, 2021
notes to remember story:
the short of it
story set 5yrs after last book 1895
continuation of Corrine & Garland now marriage
Malcolm Foxworth, their son is 5yrs old, spoiled and ignored by both parents
story follows Corrine navigating her life through an abusive marriage with Garland who is suspected to be cheating and is frequently away
Corrine throws herself out into society and meets an artist
artist ends up doing portraits of Corrine
they fall in love
Malcolm tattle tells on Corrine for kissing the artist
Corrine runs away with the artist leaving Malcolm behind
Corrine lives HEA
the short of it
story set 5yrs after last book 1895
continuation of Corrine & Garland now marriage
Malcolm Foxworth, their son is 5yrs old, spoiled and ignored by both parents
story follows Corrine navigating her life through an abusive marriage with Garland who is suspected to be cheating and is frequently away
Corrine throws herself out into society and meets an artist
artist ends up doing portraits of Corrine
they fall in love
Malcolm tattle tells on Corrine for kissing the artist
Corrine runs away with the artist leaving Malcolm behind
Corrine lives HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2021
There was no real content to this story, written by a ghost writer.
November 23, 2019
When the story ended in the previous book,
Beneath the Attic
, a very young and secretly pregnant Corrine Dixon was preparing for her upcoming wedding to Garland Foxworth. Out of the Attic wastes little time moving the story forward, noting the wedding and the birth of Malcolm in a brief prologue, with the remainder of the story taking place five years later.
That was my first problem with this book. It left me feeling disoriented immediately. The first words I read in this book stated that it was "picking up where Beneath the Attic left off". If it had done that, I wouldn't have kept wondering if I was reading the THIRD book in the series, rather than the second. I was terribly confused... how could Malcolm be almost five years old when the wedding hadn't even happened yet?! I had to look it up on Google, because I was convinced I was reading the wrong book... only to find out I wasn't. Wait... what?!
Fine. It was a sloppy beginning, but I can over it. The story will get better now that I understand where we are in the timeline. Right?
Wrong. Because now, I had to deal with other issues that drove me crazy.
People still behaved in historically incorrect ways. The dialogue was still horribly wrong for people living in 1895. For example: at one point, Garland tells Corinne "You're hot." (And no... she wasn't feverish.) How is a reader supposed to buy that this story takes place in the late 19th century, with something like that being said?!
Despite the passing of several years (and addition of a child), there isn't any character growth to be found in Corrine or Garland. The characters are shallow, and fail to have any redeeming qualities. Malcolm, despite his important role in Flowers in the Attic, has little impact in the overall story. As described in the book, he is nothing more than a stereotypical bratty child. Nothing makes him stand out in a way that foreshadows who he will eventually become, despite looks and/or actions being described as 'sly'. It never felt potentially ominous in the least to me—it came across only as a young child attempting to get his way about something, and nothing more.
Though I did feel compassion for Corrine due to an event late in the story, it failed to have the serious impact it could have had, if only she were a more sympathetic character. If I truly cared about her, what happened would have evoked a storm of emotions... but she was so unlikable as a whole that it simply wasn't possible.
Once again, I have to point out that Garland is nothing like the one shown in Garden of Shadows . I have a great deal of difficulty accepting the drastic changes between his younger and older selves. People do change as they age, but this much? Opinions may vary, but it doesn't feel realistic to me.
The epilogue (which I nearly missed because a list of other VCA series came before it), featured a twist that greatly intrigued me. Possibilities abound, and I'm curious if anything will come of it. That, more than anything, has me curious to read the next book, Shadows of Foxworth .
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Gallery Books via Netgalley.
That was my first problem with this book. It left me feeling disoriented immediately. The first words I read in this book stated that it was "picking up where Beneath the Attic left off". If it had done that, I wouldn't have kept wondering if I was reading the THIRD book in the series, rather than the second. I was terribly confused... how could Malcolm be almost five years old when the wedding hadn't even happened yet?! I had to look it up on Google, because I was convinced I was reading the wrong book... only to find out I wasn't. Wait... what?!
Fine. It was a sloppy beginning, but I can over it. The story will get better now that I understand where we are in the timeline. Right?
Wrong. Because now, I had to deal with other issues that drove me crazy.
People still behaved in historically incorrect ways. The dialogue was still horribly wrong for people living in 1895. For example: at one point, Garland tells Corinne "You're hot." (And no... she wasn't feverish.) How is a reader supposed to buy that this story takes place in the late 19th century, with something like that being said?!
Despite the passing of several years (and addition of a child), there isn't any character growth to be found in Corrine or Garland. The characters are shallow, and fail to have any redeeming qualities. Malcolm, despite his important role in Flowers in the Attic, has little impact in the overall story. As described in the book, he is nothing more than a stereotypical bratty child. Nothing makes him stand out in a way that foreshadows who he will eventually become, despite looks and/or actions being described as 'sly'. It never felt potentially ominous in the least to me—it came across only as a young child attempting to get his way about something, and nothing more.
Though I did feel compassion for Corrine due to an event late in the story, it failed to have the serious impact it could have had, if only she were a more sympathetic character. If I truly cared about her, what happened would have evoked a storm of emotions... but she was so unlikable as a whole that it simply wasn't possible.
Once again, I have to point out that Garland is nothing like the one shown in Garden of Shadows . I have a great deal of difficulty accepting the drastic changes between his younger and older selves. People do change as they age, but this much? Opinions may vary, but it doesn't feel realistic to me.
The epilogue (which I nearly missed because a list of other VCA series came before it), featured a twist that greatly intrigued me. Possibilities abound, and I'm curious if anything will come of it. That, more than anything, has me curious to read the next book, Shadows of Foxworth .
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Gallery Books via Netgalley.
January 19, 2020
Okay so.
I had no expectations or hopes for this story. I find the whole series a waste of time - but, being a purist, i had to give it a shot.
It was at least better than the first ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I find his writing of a toddler being so evil and rude coming out of left field. This kid is being raised by a sweet nanny, and a decent mother ... but his fathers influence is no where to be found. So why is this kid sucha jerk? The character arc makes no sense.
The author has been hyping this story up for months, but really... I can't figure out why? We all knew she ran off with another man. She seemed quite loving to her kid, well, she tried to be (* see jerk comment above) and her husband is a piece of garbage so I am okay with her running off.
I am curious if we'll be getting different POVs in the next one since, without it, we will have many questions left over (though the author uses that as excuses to butcher our beloved stories)
I had no expectations or hopes for this story. I find the whole series a waste of time - but, being a purist, i had to give it a shot.
It was at least better than the first ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I find his writing of a toddler being so evil and rude coming out of left field. This kid is being raised by a sweet nanny, and a decent mother ... but his fathers influence is no where to be found. So why is this kid sucha jerk? The character arc makes no sense.
The author has been hyping this story up for months, but really... I can't figure out why? We all knew she ran off with another man. She seemed quite loving to her kid, well, she tried to be (* see jerk comment above) and her husband is a piece of garbage so I am okay with her running off.
I am curious if we'll be getting different POVs in the next one since, without it, we will have many questions left over (though the author uses that as excuses to butcher our beloved stories)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2020
Hey, I won this book on Goodreads.
Honestly, in this day and age, you don't go looking for a new V.C. Andrews book not expecting it to be an utter trainwreck, and, in that respect, this book doesn't disappoint. You've got your jumpy timelines, your main heroine being super into her looks, the misogynistic dudes, and, of course, the rape scene involving someone they original trusted. It's a winning V.C. Andrews bingo card.
It was jarring to have Corinne (beautiful, omg, just look at her, omg) walking up the stairs and suddenly the scene is set five years ago, then bam, back to the present again. That happened so many times over the course of the book.
Also, did I remember to mention that Corinne is super beautiful? Because boy howdy did the book make sure we knew. No real personality, save for that we're told at one point that she was ever so mature and scrappy in her youth (which was when, exactly, as she got married at 16. There was no time for her to be out breaking hearts and scandalizing her friends with her vast knowledge of the sex she'd never had).
About 1/3 of the way through the book, it seems to remember that Garland is supposed to be a woman hating charmer cad, so he has a whole speech about how women are just ever so very silly and terrible, and, even though we're kind of set to expect him to be awful, it felt so shoehorned in. Then later he eyerolls at Corinne and her being ever so consumed by her own lust when she asks why he's leaving abruptly after he told her to come by for some action.
Then, of course, he rapes her repeatedly because his horrible 5 year old, who is a little shit and is mad at his mom, tells him mommy kissed another man, because you can't have a V.C. Andrews without someone being raped, and having it be, however nebulously, their fault. At least in this case Corinne noped out of that place afterwards instead of going 'eh, I deserved it and he feels bad now.' It's almost progress.
So, yeah, this is a solid 'it's okay' 2 star. But if you're super into VC or a completionist, go for it. It reads fast, even if mostly because you keep blasting through chapters waiting for the point of the story to finally happen.
Honestly, in this day and age, you don't go looking for a new V.C. Andrews book not expecting it to be an utter trainwreck, and, in that respect, this book doesn't disappoint. You've got your jumpy timelines, your main heroine being super into her looks, the misogynistic dudes, and, of course, the rape scene involving someone they original trusted. It's a winning V.C. Andrews bingo card.
It was jarring to have Corinne (beautiful, omg, just look at her, omg) walking up the stairs and suddenly the scene is set five years ago, then bam, back to the present again. That happened so many times over the course of the book.
Also, did I remember to mention that Corinne is super beautiful? Because boy howdy did the book make sure we knew. No real personality, save for that we're told at one point that she was ever so mature and scrappy in her youth (which was when, exactly, as she got married at 16. There was no time for her to be out breaking hearts and scandalizing her friends with her vast knowledge of the sex she'd never had).
About 1/3 of the way through the book, it seems to remember that Garland is supposed to be a woman hating charmer cad, so he has a whole speech about how women are just ever so very silly and terrible, and, even though we're kind of set to expect him to be awful, it felt so shoehorned in. Then later he eyerolls at Corinne and her being ever so consumed by her own lust when she asks why he's leaving abruptly after he told her to come by for some action.
Then, of course, he rapes her repeatedly because his horrible 5 year old, who is a little shit and is mad at his mom, tells him mommy kissed another man, because you can't have a V.C. Andrews without someone being raped, and having it be, however nebulously, their fault. At least in this case Corinne noped out of that place afterwards instead of going 'eh, I deserved it and he feels bad now.' It's almost progress.
So, yeah, this is a solid 'it's okay' 2 star. But if you're super into VC or a completionist, go for it. It reads fast, even if mostly because you keep blasting through chapters waiting for the point of the story to finally happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2019
Corrine was married into Foxworth's family at the tender age of seventeen. Four years later, she has a four years old son, Malcom and not a happy marriage. Corrine feels she is stuck in this haunted house, in which; she can never do anything on her own nor anything to the house to make it feels more like home.
Out of all of VC Andrews recent novels, this one feels more like the original style of writing. It was a dark story of a young woman's life in the 19th century. When a woman married into a family her life is not her own. Her husband own her has property and to today readers it's frustrating. The only problem I have with this story is Corrine's voice. At times, she sounds like a 21-year-old woman and then her voice would switch to a 50's years old woman. For a young, woman who has never travelled and was married so young, she sounds much more mature for her age and her wisdom, where does it comes from? The story never described her doing anything but walking around the house. She doesn't seem to even pick up a book. So where does she gets all her ideas? It's very unbelievable at time. I also finds it hard to believe that Corrine's husband would not hire someone to track her down to punish her. His personality is too strong and evil to leave things the way it is. I think it's time to give up VC Andrews' novel as nothing is changing. There are no evolutions to the writing.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Out of all of VC Andrews recent novels, this one feels more like the original style of writing. It was a dark story of a young woman's life in the 19th century. When a woman married into a family her life is not her own. Her husband own her has property and to today readers it's frustrating. The only problem I have with this story is Corrine's voice. At times, she sounds like a 21-year-old woman and then her voice would switch to a 50's years old woman. For a young, woman who has never travelled and was married so young, she sounds much more mature for her age and her wisdom, where does it comes from? The story never described her doing anything but walking around the house. She doesn't seem to even pick up a book. So where does she gets all her ideas? It's very unbelievable at time. I also finds it hard to believe that Corrine's husband would not hire someone to track her down to punish her. His personality is too strong and evil to leave things the way it is. I think it's time to give up VC Andrews' novel as nothing is changing. There are no evolutions to the writing.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2020
I first read Flowers in the Attic 40 years ago when it made it's debut. The dark, haunting, and disturbing tale has stayed with me all these years because of the compelling characters. I quickly became an enduring fan all those years ago and read the sequels as soon as they hit the shelves. After the passing of the real V.C. Andrews I noticed a decline in the stories that followed they never had the same punch. Out of the Attic is a whole other story. It felt like I was thrust back into the Attic. The chills were back, the mixed feelings about the characters all too familiar. The disturbing yet compelling elements were present and accounted for. A must read for fans of the original Flowers in. the Attic series, or as a starting g point for new fans. I hope there will be more to come. Maybe the grandmother's back story. That would be interesting.
February 17, 2020
Time to let this series go. The writing just isn't the same and the magic is no longer there. Let V.C.Andrews rest in peace and stop trying to make a buck off her name.
February 14, 2020
Not bad, it definitely was better than the first of this " prequel " series to Flowers In The Attic. This series is getting a lot of hate and I understand why, but my love for the story keeps me reading.
February 13, 2020
These are great books! Descriptive, page-turning and engrossing read!
March 5, 2020
What an absolute roller coaster of a book! The insight on Corrine and Garlands relationship. The trauma, sadness and betrayal. The future for Corrine was all too sad and well in the end but I don’t think it’ll be last we’ve seen of the Forxworths
February 5, 2020
This is the next book picking up where Beneath The Attic left off. I was so excited to read this and felt such great disappointment I couldn't believe it. While Beneath The Attic had timeline issues this is far worse. For crying out loud Neiderman, do some research before the next installment. I did like reading more about this twisted family and really want to read more to come. So I seriously hope they won't be written so carelessly. This is one of my favorite series and I'm glad more are coming to film. Atleast the Lifetime script writers had the timeline and language accurate. So disappointed.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
February 11, 2020
Of course I had to read it! I looooved the Dollanganger/ Foxworth stories when I was a YA , soI just couldn’t resist. Corrine is a horrible character, and Garland is even worse. I don’t remember Garland being such a jerk in the original series. And just so you know, the attic doesn’t have a major part in this book, BUT THAT STUPID SWAN BED DOES!
February 24, 2020
Another F*cking cash grab by A.N.
this drivel didn't tell us anything different than the last drivel did! at this point I'm glad I didn't waste money for this!!
this drivel didn't tell us anything different than the last drivel did! at this point I'm glad I didn't waste money for this!!
January 14, 2020
Andrew Niederman has been ghostwriting VC Andrews novels as long as I've been alive. He took up the mantle in the middle of the Casteel saga. I don't know if VC Andrews had written notes on how to continue the Dollanganger legacy but I can't imagine this would be what she wanted. The time period felt muddled. I know that this one takes place in the late 19th century, but it just doesn't feel historically accurate.
Out of the Attic is the second in a planned trilogy about the first Corrine Foxworth, the grandmother of the Corrine who locked her children away in the attic. She is stuck in an arranged mansion in the creepy Foxworth manor, which is FULL of secrets. I usually love a book full of secrets. Tell me all of them, no matter how weird they are. But these secrets felt recycled.
Perhaps I'll try to read it again when they trilogy is completed.
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
Out of the Attic is the second in a planned trilogy about the first Corrine Foxworth, the grandmother of the Corrine who locked her children away in the attic. She is stuck in an arranged mansion in the creepy Foxworth manor, which is FULL of secrets. I usually love a book full of secrets. Tell me all of them, no matter how weird they are. But these secrets felt recycled.
Perhaps I'll try to read it again when they trilogy is completed.
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
February 14, 2020
I tried. I can't do it. You would think with Garden of Shadows being the ghostwriter's work he would've known the events and characters in it. But he didn't. The history lover in me got a headache seeing all the inaccuracies. Malcolm was apparently born a psychopath torturing animals and just being a bratty kid with no soul. I had hoped it would be better, but Corinne is just not a likeable heroine and I couldn't stand her and secretly hoped she would end up in the attic to be joined by her great grandson Cory years later. But then there wouldn't be a third book would there? Good Lord I wish they would let the Dollanganger family stay as it was at the end of Seeds of Yesterday and stop dragging up new insights. But unfortunately I see more series to be exploited, Jillian, Annie Casteel (granny) and no doubt grandmere Catherine, will get their own spin offs. I would say grandmere Catherine was his character but so was Garland Foxworth and he sure butchered him. I am reminded why I gave up reading these books long ago and wish I had never started up with them again.
February 23, 2021
Not to bad
I was pleasantly surprised by this entry.
just like in the precedent entry the historical accuracy is lacking but I think the writing and general story greatly improved from all the other Dollanganger series written by ghostwriters.
I am looking forward to reading the last instalment hoping it will continue on this good trend after so many empty sequel to flower in the Attic.
This said
The Garland in this prequel serie is so drastically different from the one in garden of shadows that it barely seem like the same person. It's a shame because at the time he appeared like the one tolerable Foxworth man and also the only one without a severe oedipus complex but well...
Also as a native french speaker I would like to add that the " tu es chaude " passage gave me physical pain. Abstain from french I am begging you.
I was pleasantly surprised by this entry.
just like in the precedent entry the historical accuracy is lacking but I think the writing and general story greatly improved from all the other Dollanganger series written by ghostwriters.
I am looking forward to reading the last instalment hoping it will continue on this good trend after so many empty sequel to flower in the Attic.
This said
The Garland in this prequel serie is so drastically different from the one in garden of shadows that it barely seem like the same person. It's a shame because at the time he appeared like the one tolerable Foxworth man and also the only one without a severe oedipus complex but well...
Also as a native french speaker I would like to add that the " tu es chaude " passage gave me physical pain. Abstain from french I am begging you.
November 17, 2019
DNF - Even though it is fiction, the details of this series are not aligned with earlier works. There is no continuity.
LiteraryMarie
LiteraryMarie
January 23, 2021
IT REALLY BOTHERED ME THAT THEY SPOKE LIKE THEY WERE IN THE 2000s AND NOT 1895!!!!!
September 14, 2024
I rate books out of entertainment, and this one had me glued to the pages. I was annoyed when I was asked to do work and interrupted in any form.
This is Part 2 of Corrine's story, so I wouldn't read this book until you've read Book 1.
I was a little disappointed that the wedding took page off-scene before the book started because preparing for the wedding was such a big part of the previous book. Similarly, Malcolm's birth happened off-page as well.
I had a feeling Corrine would
At the beginning of the book, I felt sorry for Corrine, who seemed to be bored and lonely in a huge mansion. (I worded this in my head much better yesterday.) As the story went on, she resolved to take back her power and agency as she had lost part of herself in the mansion.
I know parents should love their kids, but Malcolm, her son who becomes the hateful grandfather in Flowers in the Attic, seems like he'd be a hard child to love.
I do see what the critical reviewers mean about Garland seeming to be a different person than in the books written before this one. Although it's been too long since I read the book he was featured in, he seemed like a good person and a loving, kind husband in the miniseries.
This is Part 2 of Corrine's story, so I wouldn't read this book until you've read Book 1.
I was a little disappointed that the wedding took page off-scene before the book started because preparing for the wedding was such a big part of the previous book. Similarly, Malcolm's birth happened off-page as well.
I had a feeling Corrine would
At the beginning of the book, I felt sorry for Corrine, who seemed to be bored and lonely in a huge mansion. (I worded this in my head much better yesterday.) As the story went on, she resolved to take back her power and agency as she had lost part of herself in the mansion.
I know parents should love their kids, but Malcolm, her son who becomes the hateful grandfather in Flowers in the Attic, seems like he'd be a hard child to love.
I do see what the critical reviewers mean about Garland seeming to be a different person than in the books written before this one. Although it's been too long since I read the book he was featured in, he seemed like a good person and a loving, kind husband in the miniseries.
February 23, 2020
First of all, thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This book is the second of a prequel trilogy which is a tie-in from Flowers in the Attic, written forty years ago. It takes us back to the early years of Corrine's marriage with Garland Foxworth. At only twenty-one (she got married when she was seventeen and secretly pregnant with her first son, Malcolm), she faces the challenges of being the wife of an aristocratic and wealthy man and how she deals with her new life.
Written in Corrine's perspective, this book makes me feel contradictory emotions. I found Flowers in the Attic (book one of the Dollanganger series written many years ago) a fascinating and intense story when I read it almost ten years ago. I also found Beneath the Attic, the first book in this “new” trilogy, really interesting. This second prequel book? Not so very much.
Let me explain. Book one sets solid roots so you want to look forward the other books. This one makes you wonder if you're reading the correct book. The sequence of events comes back and forth, confusing the reader sometimes.
Also, this book looks like it was written by an amateur writer, not someone who has a lot experience about creating a story. And the inconsistencies in the plot are monumental! Sometimes I felt like I was reading a 1980's mediocre soap opera screenplay than a book which story takes place in 1895.
When I opened my ARC and started reading, the first upsetting moment was when I read the phrase “picking up where Beneath the Attic left off...” Not true, actually. Out of the Attic starts five years after Corrine and Garland's engagement (the ending of Beneath the Attic shows Corrine preparing her wedding). What happened in those years? There's a short prologue that tries to answer my questions, failing in doing so. No, I didn't wanted a full-details-story, but at least a more coherent explanation would be nice.
Then, there were the main characters. I found them superficial. The Garland you see in this book is so different than the one you read in the original series, that you can't really connect with him. Not to mention Corrine, which doesn't makes you feel any sympathy for her, even in the most terrible moment she has to face later in the story.
(Okay, I have to admit it: in that specific event I did feel pity for her. Just. A. Little. Bit.)
Resuming it, there's no substance in them, no inner growth, especially in Corrine. The fact that she got married so young and with no preparation to deal with marriage and kids in a high society world isn't an excuse at all.
To be fair with the book, it has good moments. The event mentioned before —ain't gonna give spoilers!— was really intense. Like that, other parts of the story shine with its own bright. And the epilogue has a interesting twist that I found very intriguing and captures my attention enough to look forward book three (Shadows of Foxworth —the last of the trilogy).
“The Star Wars Prequels Effect” in a 19th Century-based book? Unfortunately, this is the case here. In conclusion, a story with a lot of potential wasted in favor of frivolity.
More of this review: https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com...
This book is the second of a prequel trilogy which is a tie-in from Flowers in the Attic, written forty years ago. It takes us back to the early years of Corrine's marriage with Garland Foxworth. At only twenty-one (she got married when she was seventeen and secretly pregnant with her first son, Malcolm), she faces the challenges of being the wife of an aristocratic and wealthy man and how she deals with her new life.
Written in Corrine's perspective, this book makes me feel contradictory emotions. I found Flowers in the Attic (book one of the Dollanganger series written many years ago) a fascinating and intense story when I read it almost ten years ago. I also found Beneath the Attic, the first book in this “new” trilogy, really interesting. This second prequel book? Not so very much.
Let me explain. Book one sets solid roots so you want to look forward the other books. This one makes you wonder if you're reading the correct book. The sequence of events comes back and forth, confusing the reader sometimes.
Also, this book looks like it was written by an amateur writer, not someone who has a lot experience about creating a story. And the inconsistencies in the plot are monumental! Sometimes I felt like I was reading a 1980's mediocre soap opera screenplay than a book which story takes place in 1895.
When I opened my ARC and started reading, the first upsetting moment was when I read the phrase “picking up where Beneath the Attic left off...” Not true, actually. Out of the Attic starts five years after Corrine and Garland's engagement (the ending of Beneath the Attic shows Corrine preparing her wedding). What happened in those years? There's a short prologue that tries to answer my questions, failing in doing so. No, I didn't wanted a full-details-story, but at least a more coherent explanation would be nice.
Then, there were the main characters. I found them superficial. The Garland you see in this book is so different than the one you read in the original series, that you can't really connect with him. Not to mention Corrine, which doesn't makes you feel any sympathy for her, even in the most terrible moment she has to face later in the story.
(Okay, I have to admit it: in that specific event I did feel pity for her. Just. A. Little. Bit.)
Resuming it, there's no substance in them, no inner growth, especially in Corrine. The fact that she got married so young and with no preparation to deal with marriage and kids in a high society world isn't an excuse at all.
To be fair with the book, it has good moments. The event mentioned before —ain't gonna give spoilers!— was really intense. Like that, other parts of the story shine with its own bright. And the epilogue has a interesting twist that I found very intriguing and captures my attention enough to look forward book three (Shadows of Foxworth —the last of the trilogy).
“The Star Wars Prequels Effect” in a 19th Century-based book? Unfortunately, this is the case here. In conclusion, a story with a lot of potential wasted in favor of frivolity.
More of this review: https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com...
November 12, 2020
Book 249 towards my goal of 280! 3.5/5 stars for this adult historical fiction read. I just can't stop reading about the Foxworth family, the ones that started my love for VC Andrews. If you enjoy the original series and family this series follows, I believe you'll enjoy this prequel series as well. Loved the cover. Narration was great. Does have 1 significant trigger warning, if you're sensitive to any please ask before jumping in <3
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