History Literature / GardenOfShadows

* BuryYourGays: Subverted by the made-for-tv mini-series, where [[spoiler:Joel]] is initially committed to a mental institution for being in a homosexual relationship with a African-American man. After suffering the effects of electroshock therapy and recovering, he decides to leave with Harry to travel the world after being effectively disowned by his father. In the novel, there is no indication that he's gay.

'''''Garden of Shadows''''' is the final book in the Dollanganger Saga by Creator/VCAndrews (until ''Secrets of Foxworth'' happened). Published in 1987, the novel was ghostwritten by Andrew Niederman through a collaboration of Andrews' estate and her publishers. It acts as a {{Prequel}} to the events of ''Literature/FlowersInTheAttic'' and tells the story of Olivia, the wicked grandmother in the first novel.

* FourthDateMarriage: Malcolm proposes to Olivia after two days and they're married within two weeks of meeting.
* FreudianExcuse: Malcolm's dislike of beautiful women yet simultaneous lust for them stems from anger towards the mother who abandoned him.

* HotGuyUglyWife: The inevitable commentary about Malcolm and Olivia.

* MissingMom: Malcolm's mother abandoned him and his father when Malcolm was five.

* {{Hypocrite}}: Malcolm in spades. He adores things of beauty and yet, he rapes his stepmother, in part of his OedipusComplex and his HeManWomanHater tendencies. He calls his wife and daughter whores in anger and accuses them of dressing as such, and has engaged in activities with prostitutes. He accuses his wife of being jealous of his (step)daughter's beauty while being a PervertDad towards her. He demands to be respected and listened to when he doesn't give others the standard courtesy to. He blames his wife for the death of his son Mal Jr., when he was a catalyst; blackmailing his future daughter-in-law Helen so Mal can get his trust fund faster, and Mal unfortunately walking in on them.

* OedipusComplex: Malcolm to his mother Corinne.

* BuryYourGays: An positive subversion. Joel is initially committed to a mental institution for being in a homosexual relationship with a African-American man. After suffering the effects of electroshock therapy and recovering, Joel decides to leave with Harry to travel the world after being effectively disowned by his father

* DiesDifferentlyInAdapation: In the book, Mal dies in a motorcycle accident. In the mini-series, he dies in a car accident after seeing his father kissing his bride-to-be and mistakenly ingesting poison he believed was marijuana.

* Hypocrite: Malcolm in spades. He adores things of beauty and yet, he rapes his stepmother, in part of his OedipusComplex and his HeManWomanHater tendencies. He calls his wife and daughter whores in anger and accuses them of dressing as such, and has engaged in activities with prostitutes. He accuses his wife of being jealous of his (step)daughter's beauty while being a PervertDad towards her. He demands to be respected and listened to when he doesn't give others the standard courtesy to. He blames his wife for the death of his son Mal Jr., when he was a catalyst; blackmailing his future daughter-in-law Helen so Mal can get his trust fund faster, and Mal unfortunately walking in on them.

* Manchild: Malcolm in the film series. Makes it ironic that he states that his sons are far too coddled by Olivia, yet he's one because he was abandoned by his mother.

* Hypocrite: Malcolm in spades. He adores things of beauty and yet, he rapes his stepmother, in part of his OepidusComplex and his He-ManWomanHater tendencies. He calls his wife and daughter whores in anger and accuses them of dressing as such, and has engaged in activities with prostitutes. He accuses his wife of being jealous of his (step)daughter's beauty while being a PervertDad towards her. He demands to be respected and listened to when he doesn't give others the standard courtesy to. He blames his wife for the death of his son Mal Jr., when he was a catalyst; blackmailing his future daughter-in-law Helen so Mal can get his trust fund faster, and Mal unfortunately walking in on them.

* Hypocrite: Malcolm in spades. He adores things of beauty and yet, he rapes his stepmother, in part of his OepidusComplex and his He-Man Woman Hater tendencies. He calls his wife and daughter whores in anger, and has engaged in activities with prostitutes. He accuses his wife of being jealous of his (step)daughter's beauty while being a PervertDad towards her. He demands to be respected and listened to when he doesn't give others the standard courtesy to. He blames his wife for the death of his son Mal Jr., when he was a catalyst; blackmailing his future daughter-in-law Helen so Mal can get his trust fund faster, and Mal unfortunately walking in on them.

** Olivia want sot invert this regarding the children, as she doesn't want them to be like Malcolm. Yet, the only time that Malcolm respects his son Mal Jr is when he tries to threaten him.

* Hypocrite: Malcolm in spades. He adores things of beauty and yet, he rapes his stepmother, in part of his OepidusComplex and his He-Man Woman Hater tendencies. He calls his wife and daughter whores in anger, and has engaged in activities with prostitutes. He accuses his wife of being jealous of his (step)daughter's beauty while being a PervertDad towards her. He demands to be respected and listened to when he doesn't give others the standard courtesy to.

* Hypocrite: Malcolm in spades. He adores things of beauty and yet, he rapes his stepmother, in part of his OepidusComplex and his He-Man Woman Hater tendencies. He calls his wife and daughter whores in anger, and has engaged in activities with prostitutes. He accuses his wife of being jealous of his (step)daughter's beauty while being a PervertDad towards her.

* OldMaid: Olivia, at [[ChristmasCake 25]], is considered an "old maid" and despairs of finding a husband until she meets Malcolm. This leads her to rush into marriage and convince herself that she is in love with him.

* GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex: Garland and Alicia's loving sexual relationship stand in direct contrast to Malcolm and Olivia's cold, loveless marriage. Olivia, learning this, feels cheated.

* AwesomeButImpractical: The swan bed, which requires custom sheets.
* BeautyIsBad: Malcolm distrusts beautiful women, hence he deliberately seeks out the homely Olivia.

* BrotherSisterIncest: [[spoiler:Corinne and Christopher believe they're half-niece and half-uncle. They're really half-siblings.]]

* DatingWhatDaddyHates: To be fair, Malcolm would hate whatever Corinne chose to bring home. [[spoiler: But seeing how it's his (and her!) half-brother...]]

* MaritalRapeLicense: On his mother's swan bed.

* PerspectiveFlip: The scene where the children are sequestered in the attic is now seen from Olivia' s point of view.

* ResentfulGuardian: Although Olivia does feel affection for young Corinne, she can't help but resent the circumstances of the girl's birth.
* RapeAsDrama: And how. [[spoiler: Garland dies of a heart attack after discovering his son raping Alicia.]]

* SoBeautifulItsACurse: While angry and humiliated when she discovers Malcolm' s attraction to Alicia, Olivia blames ''Alicia'' for being attractive in the first place.

* TraumaticHaircut: Olivia cuts Alicia's hair, and it contributes to the woman's nervous breakdown.
* TheUnfavorite: Malcolm ignores both his sons after Corinne is born.