The Woods Of Whitefern
Written: Sep 21 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Vividly written,mystery,plot twists
Cons: Graphic rape of a young child
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| sparklesky's Full Review: V. C. Andrews - My Sweet Audrina |
Audrina Adare-the name just rolls off the tongue. Young Audrina is the heroine of this, at times, confusing novel. This book is a V.C. Andrews original and unlike all of the author's other works is the only book released in its series. There have, however, been rumors of a never released sequel to this book but due to the graphic nature of the first was never brought to the public.
Audrina is one confused little girl. She loves and wants to please her handsome father,stockbroker Damien but at the same time doesn't trust him. Damien tells her she has a "swiss cheese" memory and therefore can not go to school. She loses weeks,months at a time from her memory.The kid isn't even sure of her age. Her father tells her to sit in the first Audrina's(her dead sister for whom she is named) rocking chair to fill up her memory with the first child's special gifts.
Sound confusing? It is.
The reader is also introduced to the inhabitants of Whitefern. Vera is a classic Andrews bad girl. Venom is apparent with every sentence this character speaks to our sweet Audrina. She is the unwanted child of Audrina's dowdy Aunt Ellsbeth who came to live with the Adares' after being spurned by her married lover. To round out the house we have Lucky(Lucietta) Audrina's mother. Unlike most V.C. Andrews mothers,Lucky does not fit into any mold. She is neither blinded by love nor a total victim of circumstance.
The book chronicles Audrina's struggle to prove to herself she is mentally stable. Sitting in the rocking chair she remembers a fierce,unholy attack on the first Audrina occurring in the woods beyond Whitefern. This image colors her world. She remains fearful and under her fathers control but at the same time questioning everything and everyone around her.
Audrina is not a typical victim. She does question and she does try to find answers. This fact alone keeps the book interesting. I would not describe this novel as any sort of mystery because most will have it figured out by page 50 but it is worth reading. I would not recommend this for younger readers due to a graphic rape scene of a young child and the immediate aftermath described. This scene still upsets me at 27 years of age.
This is a great book for newer V.C. Andrews fans familiar only with Rain or the Orphans series. This book is one of the best examples of Andrews writing talents on par with, in my opinion, Flowers in the Attic and Heaven. The author vividly describes everything Audrina comes into contact with through the child's confused eyes. She brings the reader into the dim halls of Whitefern and we feel the frustration and lack of understanding only a little girl can experience. Some of the newer releases forget this aspect and focus on quick plot development which can leave the reader with much less of an experience. You will remember the characters in this book for a long time after reading which to me is the measure of a truly excellent book.
If you read only one V.C. Andrews book-let this be the one. I'm confident you'll be back for more.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sparklesky
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Member: Melissa
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 323 members
About Me:
"My heart does not know from logic."
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