FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC

THE ballerina is a figure I have personally not found so often in novels. In paintings and films yes, but not in books.

One exception is Catherine in Flowers in the Attic, by Virginia Andrews. I have read both Flowers in the Attic, and Petals in the Wind, its sequel. I liked the books, but I also found them disturbing.

Catherine's devotion to the ballet is astonishing. She practices and dances daily, even under the most appalling conditions. Catherine and her brother Christopher are the novel's protagonists, and are both absolutely beautiful. I believe their beauty places the novel in the realm of (dark) fairy tales, signifying enchantment, love, pain and both light and darkness at the same time. Their bond is most memorable in a scene where Christopher gets mercilessly whipped; he is determined not to scream or show pain, so Catherine, who is locked outside, screams out for him.

The novel portrays the ballet and the world of professional dance in a negative light. I can't say whether Catherine becomes famous, so as not to spoil the story.


Catherine is as beautiful as a doll; like a doll, she is used and abused by people around her. However, she strikes back and, damaged as she is, manages to survive. Dolls are much stronger than we may think!