Long before the film there was the written word. Long before we settled down in
front of video or now DVD players for our fright-fests, we would read tales of 
terror by candlelight.
For most, this has been lost, however there are still those that prefer the pages
to celluloid or even both and why not?
This section then is for you. To help you to search through the rubbish and find
stories worth your time to read. If you're an avid reader of horror novels then
why not join 'Castle Dracula' as an official 'staff member' reviewing them.
To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff' link in the menu to the left for details
of this and other vacancies.

- Garden of Shadows - 
- V.C. Andrews -

"Garden of Shadows" was the last novel written in the 'Dollanganger' series, although
it is actually the prequel to anything that came after. 
The book tells the story of 'Olivia Foxworth,' the grandmother that would come to 
haunt the children in "Flowers in the attic." This is the only novel told in her 
point of view and it definitely helps clear up a lot of things fans of the series 
may have always wondered about.
There are some differences in this novel however from the rest. This was seems a 
bit stuffier in its writing style. It’s slower to take off and once it does it 
crams a lot in at once. Things happen at lightning speed and at other times it
moves snail like slow. The pacing of the book wasn’t sketched out the best it could 
be, but this was also written when Andrews was most likely sick, as well as being 
something that was "mandatory" to finish the series off and not just stemming from 
creativity on the author’s part. Also, it’s hard to put an entire life in one novel 
and also include key parts at the same time, while allowing a lot of foreshadowing 
to have the reader understand the situation better. So Andrews did come off in the 
long run, although first time readers of her books may be slightly put off.
Now, let’s take our turn with the characters.
'Olivia Foxworth' led a hellions existence. She lost both her mother and father at
a young age and married into a loveless marriage. She never had any friends or 
boyfriends and very little family. She was never accepted, loved, or befriended. 
Eventually, through life's tragedies, her heart turns to stone in order to survive. 
"Garden of Shadows" tells the story of a young, innocent, hopeful girl -- wanting 
more than anything to just be happy, held, and cared for -- being destroyed by the 
cruel aspects of life and slowly turned into a bitter old woman, always in turmoil 
and cut off from compassion.
'Alicia' is a sweet character you can’t help but love. She has an innocent air about 
her, a true beauty and kindness; her type of personality is a lot rarer than the 
'Olivia's' of the world. 
'Garland' wasn’t always the best husband and father but later in life sought to change 
that and make good for himself and his family. He was a happy man determined to stay 
that way; he wanted to keep going on bringing joy to those he loved and keep on living 
a life that was good, since much of his life was not always so carefree. It was hard 
for me not to sympathize with him.
'Malcolm Foxworth' is a multi-dimensional character, although for most of the book 
he comes off as overall cruel. His abandonment as a child, and absence from his father,
ate away most of his soul long before 'Olivia’s' was taken. He was always searching 
for a way out, a semblance of peace, and whenever he found it sought to control it at 
all costs out of fear. His character does some pretty bad things, but at times that 
little lonely boy, vulnerable and lost, shows up from years past.
While the characters may at first seem a bit one dimensional, they aren’t as the novel 
keeps unfolding. Her characters in this novel weren’t as rich as some of the others, 
so I must say this is one of the weakest books in the series, but it was also an enjoyable 
read. As is classic with Andrews style, the events are surprising, the ending bittersweet, 
the characters life rough (she once said in an interview she likes to put her characters 
through hell) and overall the story interesting. While it did have some flaws, these 
could be overlooked if you finish it to the end, because there, it all makes sense.

Reviewed By Erin Williams.

Click here to read how this page is protected by copyright laws.