This week for the Fiction Friday feature, I am reviewing the gothic horror novel, My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews. This book was published in 1982 by Pocket Books. The audiobook is 13 hours & 38 minutes in length and read by Rebekkah Ross. The following overview is provided from Barnes & Noble: The idea of her sister hovered above them all. Audrina fiercely desired to be as good as her sister. She knew her father could not love her as he loved that other girl, for her sister was so special, so perfect—and dead. Upstairs in a locked room awaited her sister’s clothes and dolls, her animals and games—and her sacred rocking chair. Now Audrina will rock and rock and rock to reclaim all of her gone sister’s special gifts. And then finally she’ll learn the secrets everyone else knows but her.
This story is so twisted, yet I could not put it down. All the twists all the turns, trying to determine what is true and what is a lie. I liked this V.C. Andrews novel more than the Flower in the Attic series. It took too many books in the series There were a few things that I predicted early on that came true, but I enjoyed the journey. If more of V.C.’s family sagas are like this one, they will quickly outrank the Dollanganger series. Audrina is complex and for good reason. While I can understand the choices made by the adults in Audrina’s life, I could not agree with them. I know that a parent’s love knows no bounds, and they felt it was the right thing to do. I think the games especially with the passage of time were cruel. Then you have Vera, who certainly did not deserve a single thing she was handed. I completely understood her anger and spitefulness. I could understand why she played the games she did with the truth. Vera was very much a footnote to everyone but her mother. And let’s not get into her mother’s relationship with her sister, that is certainly one toxic environment for children. Audrina’s father is the most garbage character in the book. Everything he does is for his own selfish goals, it’s never for the benefit or welfare of anyone in that home. Of all the side characters Billie is my favorite, I love her zest for life despite everything she has been through. If you like gothic horror and/or family saga novels, I recommend this one for you. I think anyone who likes any sort of messed-up family dynamic would enjoy this book.
I give this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
Sunday for the Spotcast Sunday feature, I am reviewing the true-crime podcast, Felonious Florida. Next week for the Fiction Friday feature, I am reviewing the Audible Original, You Do You by Tan France and Nikki Levy. Until then keep reading on; Nerd out!
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