Gripping story of family deception and cruelty. - Rated 
The Dollengangers were the perfect family. All American good looks, golden hair, close relationships and comfortable living. The death of a father throws the four children into a whole new world when their mother drags them to a lavish mansion to win back the love of a dying father who cast her aside for marrying her half-uncle - for winning back his love means winning back a very large inheritance which will ensure a very comfortable living for the rest of her existance.
The plan for Corinne Dollanganger to gain back the love of her father means hiding the fact she ever had children, meaning Cathy, Chris, Cory and Carrie are to live locked in a bedroom with a secret entrance up to a wonderfully huge attic which is to become their playground and at the same time, their prison.
Cathy recounts the story as she and her siblings struggle to cling onto hope and promises while enduring the cruelty, the neglect and the emotional torment of being locked in the same rooms as time progresses.
An incredibly moving and gripping story that will leave you begging for more.
Pretty poor - Rated 
I saw the movie, and then decided to read the book. I found it to be poorly written and unrealistic. I can swallow the bit about the woman being rejected by her parents, but then to come back and hide the kids in a cellar is where the wheels fall off. What about the servants? I could forgive the author expecting me to stretch my imagination and be somewhat gullible, but the writing is very poor. The sequel is even worse. Not impressed
great book - Rated
This was the first 'grown up' book i ever read and must have read it at least 10 times. It is fantastic and you just cant seem to put it down!!! even when you know what will happen next.
It changed my views on reading! - Rated
I can't tell you much more than the other people who have written reviews. What I can say is that I chose this book in my last year of school to do a report on. I hated reading and it was one of the shortest on the list. Now, 6 years later I can get through a book in a couple of days! I love reading and bringing the stories to life with my imagination and it is all thanks to this book, once I finished this I read pretty much all of Virginia Andrews' work and then explored different genres (i love crime novels!). It is a wonderful story and I recommend it to everyone!
A favorite! - Rated
I read this book when it was first published and loved it. I have read it at least twice since and as it has been a few years since the last time I am thinking of reading it again. I was in that attic with them.
It is an easy book to read, not to many fine details that take you away from the main story but enough to keep you turning the pages. Dont bother with the film if you ever come across it, it was total rubbish, nothing like the book at all.
Read it, you wont be dissapointed.
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