Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel

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Summary: Every Woman Needs A Ya Ya Sisterhood
Review: I absolutely loved this book. It made me feel that what ever hand your dealt in life, you can cope, survive and grow. With the help of strong close friendships like the Ya Ya's. I wanted to crawl inside of this book and sit down by the creek with this gang.

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Summary: Has some interesting stories, but is not well-written
Review: We just finished reading this book as part of our book group, and I found this book just okay. Although it has some funny and original stories (such as a hilarious Shirley Temple-look alike contest gone wrong), I did not like the style or construction of the book. The characters and dialogues are cliches, and the piecing together of events is rather contrived. The style is self-consciously cutesy, and the construction is awkward. This book definitely has some original and funny moments, but is marred by technical problems. I think more rigorous editing would have resulted in a better-written and more tightly constructed work.

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Summary: Fantastic - absolutely amazing!
Review: You've already read it, so I can't tell you anything about what's in the book that you don't already know. I can tell you, however, that the book was recently optioned by Warner Brothers for Bette Midler's production company. A Ya-Ya movie is in the works.

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Summary: Great for book discussion groups and sharing with friends.
Review: Super novel that explains 'growing up southern'. Outrageous, unforgettable characters. Shared this book with many friends, relatives and even Mom! All loved it.

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Summary: This book is a women's classic!!!
Review: This is a classic women's novel, filled with heart, tragedy and friendship! The story examines not only how women can empower other women but also how we can take our parents for granted by seeing them merely in their role as parents and not as people with their own lives to live. A true joy to read.

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Summary: I love the Ya Ya's!!
Review: This is a beautiful example of the struggles between mother and daughter. To understand, hate, love, and finally come to a sweet appreciation and acceptance of each other's lives.

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Summary: My most favorite book ever!
Review: I was glued to this book. For three days I would hide behind my desk praying I wouldn't be caught not working -- a bit difficult as you burst out laughing or start crying! I loved so many parts of this book -- but I will never ever forget Pooty Pootwell or the nite the Ya-Yas spent in jail! I've recommended this book to my mother and my friends and they have all loved it! I'm so happy that the Ya-Yas are finally getting the recognition they deserve!

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Summary: Greetings to the Divine Ya-Yas New Orleans Chapter
Review: Just a quick note to say how thrilled I am to hear about the first meeting of the New Orleans Chapter of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood! I'm looking forward to meeting ya'll, playing some Bouree, and consulting the Ouija Board! Thanks so much for your passion and enthusiasm!

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Summary: a total lack of subtlety
Review: I loved the cover of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood. The text of the novel, however, was insulting to one's intelligence. Wells consistently feels a need to explain her character's witticisms and code words thus giving potentially humorous conversations all the levi of having a joke explained (e.g. we could have all figured out that "the Betty" is the yaya term fo the Betty Ford Center). Furthermore, the author often uses brand names of attire to develop hercharacters--please, portray your fictional creations with more finesse! Having just read Robert Penn Warren's All the Kings Men, I am sorry to see such a marked decline in the genre of southern fiction. Carson McCullers, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams and the other greatsouthern writers would be appalled, I think, by this novel which is devoid of the evocative and subtle prose which made their work so timeless and so stirring.

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Summary: Lasting friendships, and unresoslved mother-daughter issues.
Review: An outstanding book is one that I think about between readings. The Ya-Yas were on my mind quite often and I found myself envying their friendship. How wonderful to have life-long friends and to share so much with them. I thought that Sidda's issues were realistic and that in understanding her mother's past, she was able to deal with relationships in her own life. I loved Wells' style, the use of flashbacks, and the good feelings you get about life in Louisiana.