Crazy Ladies

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Summary: I can't think of a better description...
Review: Michael Lee West's aptly named novel, *Crazy Ladies* was just that: a group of loveable, sympthetic crazy women living together and trying to make do with what they've been given. The novel is told by many narrators, and each character's tale is a delight to listen to.

Set in small-town Tennessee, Miss Gussie and her husband Charlie are forced to begin keeping secrets when a mysterious and violent man shows up on their doorstep. They raise their two daughters, Dorothy and Clancy Jane, with the help of housekeeper Queenie, who also takes part in the narration.

As the girls take on lives of their own, for better or for worse, West chronicles the 50s, 60s, and 70s, taking readers on a journey through the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, and the Hippies. Chapter by chapter, we hear of each character's mistakes and triumphs, highs and lows, and love found and love lost.

Although I found the novel to be somewhat of a downer, I thought West did a great job with the story. I'd suggest Dorathea Benton Frank's *Sullivan's Island* as an alternative.

Rating:
Summary: Just wasn't that good
Review: The book had an interesting beginning and I thought I was going to read about the struggles of a young family during the Great Depression. What I read about was a bunch of self-absorbed, under developed, predictable characters. First, all of the male characters lacked depth altogether...I can't even picture or name them. Dorothy was explored more than the others, but she's supposed to be the really "crazy" one, right? I feel like the added detail was just documentation of her mental health. The main disappointment was that each chapter in the character's lives showed none of the effects of their pasts. The dead body in the garden was brought in again at the end to wrap things up. Too easy. Clancy Jane went from being a miserable, despondent widow to full recovery just like that. None of these characters seem real. The repetitiveness of the family's mistakes lessen the dramatic value. Some of the characters seemed to just drop off at the end...what happened to Violet? This read was a waste of my time. A good book usually leaves me with something to think about. This one left me with "what's for dinner?". I suspect that the author has a very short attention span.

Rating:
Summary: It ain't Ya-Ya, but the Ya-Yas would love it!
Review: Let's get something straight, right off the bat. Whoever began likening this book to Rebecca Wells' "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" REALLY missed the mark...however, they've done "Crazy Ladies" a great service, because I know a bunch of people (including myself) who have picked up this book because they want to return to a world like the Ya-Ya's.

"Crazy Ladies" has a very different, distinctive voice--it's nowhere near as laugh-out-loud funny as "The Divine Secrets," and the characters are not as lovable and accessible as the Ya-Yas. In fact, the only thing it has in common with "The Divine Secrets" is that it's about a bunch of dysfunctional Southern women.

But that doesn't mean it's not worth reading. I'm extremely impressed with this book--the story sounds superficial at first, but it's actually got a very heavy plotline: murder, war, rape, abandonment, betrayal, death, mental illness. The characters are so well-drawn that you feel you know them, that you know exactly what they look like. And although I didn't find a character within that I love nearly as much as I love those Ya-Yas, I'm still swept up in the lives of these "Crazy Ladies."

Michael West has a very clear voice and vision--she really immerses you in the Tennessee world of these women, and writes authoritatively in a number of voices. I look forward to reading more of West's work.

I highly recommend giving this book a read, and giving it a chance to stand on its own, outside comparison. It doesn't need to be another "Divine Secrets"--this book is powerful and enjoyable and extremely lovable in its own way.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: Crazy Ladies turned out to be better than expected. Women of all ages can relate to this novel.

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Summary: I wanna be an American from the South!!!
Review: After reading 'The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood' I felt I must find myself some sort of continuation, to keep me high spirited and cheery, which for some reason that book has succeeded to make me. So I looked around Amazon, and I found this book. There is something magical, warm and comforting about the spirit of the South - extraordinarily brought to life in this fantastic book. The characters are real as fictional characters can get - you find yourself desperately wanting to have a nice conversation with most of them. The first scene stays in your mind the whole time you read the novel. Reading this novel is one memorable experience, which I have not yet even completed. For those who know what I mean, do read, and enjoy!!!

Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed this book
Review: This is the first book I've read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it - couldn't put it down. All of her characters seemed very realistic to me - reminded me of people in my own family (and that's not necessarily a good thing!) As others have said, if you enjoyed the Ya-Ya book, you'll enjoy this one.

Rating:
Summary: A great beach book
Review: I found this book entertaining and thoroughly readable but, unfortunately, felt that the characters and story lacked depth. I wouldn't steer people away from it if they enjoy stories of the 'ya ya' genre but if, like myself, you have limited free time to read, there are much better options out there. Basically, it is a great summer, light reading option.

Rating:
Summary: crazy ladies
Review: This is really a great book. If you liked the Divine Secrets of the Ya Yas, you will not be disappointed by Crazy Ladies.

Rating:
Summary: Such a very good book!!!
Review: Crazy Ladies was given to me by a friend after she finished reading it. I have passed it on to other friends. I bought a copy just so I would always have my very own. The first book is still being passed on to other "crazy ladies". I will keep this copy with my other treasured books. The book was much more than what the title suggests. I have since read all Ms. West books and always suggest them to anyone who wants to know where they can find a GOOD book. I hope she is busy writing another one.

Rating:
Summary: Crazy & Fun
Review: This was my first Michael Lee West novel and I want to read more of her writing. This is a story about a family of women who live just outside the norm. Miss Gussie is strong and practical but lives her entire life under a cloud of fear that a dark secret will one day be revealed. Her daughters, Dorothy and Clancy Jane, are both interesting and quirky. Whatever dark seed was planted in Dorothy continues to insinuate itself into her perceptions of life. Clancy Jane makes mistakes but she knows about love and commitment and fighting her own demons. Their daughters, Dorothy's Bitsy and Clancy's Violet, are both grappling with the realities of life and love, growing up with different expectations and ideas about their futures only to end up more similar than anyone could have imagined. The sixties are woven into the story like threads of gold and silver in an intricate brocade with the use of authentic lyrics and events. Michael Lee West tells us a story that moves easily along its way, taking us on a trip which makes us feel the sorrow and joy of these crazy women.