V. C Andrews
One of the more recent stand alone books, The Unwelcomed Child follows Elle Edwards as she describes her life living with her grandparents. The "unwelcomed" part comes from being a product of rape, and her grandparents forced Elle's mother to have the baby anyways (it being against their religion to do anything else with the child).
We follow Elle through a summer of self-leaning, with her grandmother's rigorous chores, strict religious teachings, and seclusion. Unable to leave the house on her own, as she is home-schooled and does not drive yet, Elle is quite lonely.
However,
Elle ventures out into her backyard and down to the lake one day to draw and she meets her neighbours. A brother and sister, Mason and Claudine, who are visiting their summer house. When they learn about Elle and her life, they try to show her there is more to the world than the soul-less existence she has been made to believe. Knowing her grandparents would disapprove, she hides her new friends from them, but life decides to call it's own shots.
A decent story line, but could have easily been stretched over a few books. Very heavy with inner dialogue/thoughts (and often the same ones repeated every chapter as Elle questions if she carries the sins of her mother with her) and not a lot of drama - especially when Elle's mother visits, and she finds out about her biological father - after all, what's VC Andrews without parental drama? - but everything was wrapped up in a nice little bow by the end of the book. Slightly disappointing, but not the worst story us fans have read. I'd probably give it 3 stars, but that's being generous. Maybe 2.5?
Tell me what you thought of it !
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