What drew me to this book, quite frankly, is the fact that it finally made me feel normal. My childhood was one traumatic
event after another. Therapy's not cheap and you can pick up a paper back of this book for $6.95 and it seemed like a bargain at the time (though most people that interact with me on a daily basis might be inclined to disagree)
Next to the Bible, you're not going to find a more deliciously twisted book. You know it's disturbing and wrong to be reading (and enjoying) it, but you just can't stop.
Four innocent children are thrust into a cruel world under
circumstances out of their hands. Left in one bedroom to live and only an attic for a playground, the live for over three years. Their selfish mother ignores their pleas to leave and their health and well being begin to deteriorate. Slowly, their mother becomes less a part of their life and they are left to deal with a cruel, Bible toting
grandmother that only wants to torture them (isn't that what any good, God fearing grandmother does, after all?)
Over the course of time, the children grow, deal with circumstances no child should ever be forced to deal with and inevitably mature into young adult hood (insert gratuitous sex...ok, well, at least one short incestuous encounter, here) The book stands well on it's own, though there is a full series of books following these children that make Michael Jackson look normal.
On another note: No children, flowers or sociopathic elderly people were injured in the making of the book. A few mice were killed and PETA was notified.