Heaven (Casteel Saga) (original 1985; edition 1990)

I feel so ashamed to allocate four stars to this trashy, completely unrealistic, and occasionally disturbing novel. However, if I didn't, I'd just be lying to myself.

V.C Andrews is the absolute Queen of Trash, Queen of Ethereal-Beauties-Who-are-Constantly-in-Fear-of-Getting-Raped, Queen of Handsome-Evil-Rich Men, and Queen of What-the-Hell! I've never read (or even heard) of another author mass-producing such drivel for the eagerly waiting masses to lap up. If another such author exists - please, let me know!

Heaven is a young girl who lives in the hills of West Virginia with her bad ol' Pa, who hates her because she killed his one true love being born - Angel. Her and her siblings are sold off one by one. Heaven to a psychopathically unstable woman who clearly needs to get over her past. Cue dalliances with nutters husband. Anguish ensues.

Essentially, Heaven is Cinderella-porn at it's best (worst?), set among a backdrop of hillbilly shin-digs, mean and nasty townspeople, evil step-mothers, severe abuse, and shining heros without horses.

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I read this when I was in my late teens/earlier twenties right after finishing the Dollenganger series. I liked it okay at the time but not enought to finish the series. ( )

I remember reading this book when I was a kid. It had given me a migraine. I don't remember much about it except that I really couldn't follow the story and too many things happened too quickly. ( )

Reading this for a book club. One of the worst books I've ever read! So bad it's almost funny. ( )

Heaven is one of V.C. Andrews' original works (as opposed to the later work done by her ghostwriter). It tells the story of Heaven Casteel, a young girl living in the mountains of West Virginia, who is decidedly smarter than the other hill folk who live there.

In typical Andrews fashion, Heaven uncovers secrets about how long-dead mother, is uprooted from her family, and moved to Atlanta with a new adoptive family, along the way pursuing her dreams and uncovering dark family secrets. This is the first in a series of five books.

Although this isn't my favorite series (since it was later finished by the Ghostwriter), Heaven does stand out in the Casteel series and is an interesting book since it takes place in several different locations. ( )