My Sweet Audrina (MSA)
V.C. Andrews
V.C. Andrews
Audrina always knew she was second best. Second best to the
First, to the original, perfect Audrina.
Audrina Adare grew up knowing she was born with a purpose.
Her parents were trying to replace the daughter they lost. When her sister
Audrina (the first) was killed in the woods, her parents felt such a loss at
their beloved daughter that they decided to replace her. Audrina knew she could
never be like her sister. She could never be so perfect, try as she might.
She lived with her parents Damian and Lucietta, her younger sister Sylvia, her
aunt Ellsbeth and her cousin Vera. They all lived in her mother’s family home,
which was called “Whitefern”.
At 9 years old, Audrina never felt right. It was difficult,
always being told about the first Audrina. The perfect Audrina. Her father,
Damian, was convinced that Audrina could channel her sister and be just like
her. He forces Audrina to sit in a rocking chair, and meditate (for lack of
better word), trying to connect with the First Audrina’s spirit.
There is also one rule in this house: Do not go into the woods. That is where Audrina was killed. They are not safe.
There is also one rule in this house: Do not go into the woods. That is where Audrina was killed. They are not safe.
But when Audrina meets the new neighbours, Arden Lowe and
his mother Billie, she cannot help but be drawn to them. Finally, people who
seem to accept her for who she is: Audrina. Just Audrina; no “second” in front
of, no mocking, no judgement. The Lowe’s
seem to have their own secrets though: Why doesn’t Billie ever come out of the
house? Why is Arden so anxious to get close to Audrina?
and secrets always come out in the end.
and secrets always come out in the end.
A dark, twisted story with secrets around every corner. I
won’t give too much away, so this is a very
basic outline of the story. Originally written by V.C. Andrews herself, she
does a wonderful job of portraying the lengths people will go to protect their
family members. The characters are described so in-depth that you have no
problem envisioning them as you eagerly turn the pages and fall deeper and
deeper into the web of lies, betrayal and secrets that hold this fragile world
together. The shocking twist at the end
will have you in awe and disbelief, and possibly rereading in order to pick up
on all the nuances throughout the story.
I personally love that the ending is vague, it leaves it to the reader to imagine what could happen next. One of my favourites! You will not be disappointed. 5/5 stars!
I personally love that the ending is vague, it leaves it to the reader to imagine what could happen next. One of my favourites! You will not be disappointed. 5/5 stars!
*There is a Lifetime adaptation of this book. Strongly suggest reading the book first as the movie focuses on main points only,
and leaves a lot out (character development and whole characters). Plus
Spoilers!
Whitefern
V.C. Andrews (written by the ghostwriter: Andrew Neiderman)
V.C. Andrews (written by the ghostwriter: Andrew Neiderman)
*Spoilers for those who haven’t read this or MSA
The highly anticipated sequel, published 34 years later, but
set only 12 years in the story’s future.
Audrina and Arden are married. Sylvia has grown into her own person, albeit still needing help now and then.
Damian is on his deathbed. It come to pass that he has left
the majority to his company to Audrina, not Arden as it originally seemed.
Arden is not happy and demands Audrina sign over her authority.
As the story progresses, Arden turns into a sort of Damian-esque
character. The word that comes to mind is “brute”. He is rough, quick to anger
and just downright mean to Audrina. Most of this is due to their inability to
conceive a child.
While Audrina is busy being a housewife, and teaching Sylvia
how to take care of herself and learn new skills, it seems that besides Arden’s
new attitude, Whitefern is no longer the dark and dreary place it once was.
However, Audrina cannot figure out her father’s motives for
giving her majority control over the business. She refuses to sign it over to
Arden, which just irritates him more.
Then one day, Sylvia announces “baby’s coming”. This throws
Audrina’s world upside down, and it looks as if Audrina will never be free of
the curse that is on the house.
More secrets, a deeper web of betrayal and the whole truth
finally revealed!
A very unique way to continue the story so many years later.
Predictable at times, but overall, a more “classic” V.C. Andrew-style story
than what us fans have been reading lately. Although, any hardcore VCA fan can
tell it has been written by the ghostwriter, just by the style of writing and a
few timeline mistakes.
For this particular reader, the characters didn’t grow up to
be who I thought they would be. Like I
mentioned in my review of My Sweet
Audrina, I liked how the original story ended and could imagine what
happened to the characters in my own way, but I do believe Virginia would be
proud of this story-line.
No comments:
Post a Comment