The Ya-Ya Boxed Set

Rating:
Summary: Boxed set allows reader to find out "all about the Walkers"
Review: I was leant a well read dog-eared copy of 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' a few years ago and came to know and love Rebecca Wells' style and story telling capabilities.

Ms. Wells has the ability to capture a particular era and region of the country (the South) and make her characters come alive.

The Ya-Yas are all about friendship, loyalty and some much darker and less admirable human traits as well. Some of the situations recounted in these two VERY different books about the Walker family will have the reader squirming with discomfort. For Rebecca Wells is intent on telling the whole story: the bad, the sad, the shocking, as well about the successes, the joys and a lot of giggles at the funnier side of human nature.

When you have finished both volumes in this boxed set, you will have a really good idea of what makes a very complex set of family members (the Walkers) "tick". What keeps them together, what may tear them apart. The journey isn't going to be boring in Ms. Wells' talented hands.

The story(stories) prove that being a "southern belle" isn't nearly as easy as you might think.

I'm happy to have my own lovely boxed set, combining both volumes 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' and 'Little Alters Everywhere', so I can revisit these fascinating people any time I want. My particular recommendation for the reader would be to read 'Divine Secrets' first and then flesh out the history of the clan with 'Little Alters'. But I have wondered many times why Ms. Wells published the smaller, episodic 'Little Alters' first. So those uninitiated into Ya-Ya-hood, may wish to read them in order of the published date. If you do, PLEASE let me know what you think about the experience. I'd be interested in your opinions.

Rating:
Summary: A Universal Theme from a Southern Author
Review: Many say that you can't understand the intricacies of this book unless you are from the south, but I would disagree. As a transplanted southerner (originally from the Pacific Northwest)I would still put this book high on my list of books that convey what I like to call "universal truths". Through all of the emotion and tradition of the Ya-Ya's the thing that touched me most was the conveyance of true friendship with unconditional love. It also offered insightful perspective to daughters about the need to "ride out" the waves of the mother daughter relationship. After I finished, I immediately sent the box set to my mother and little sister. So, give us notherners and transplanted southerners a little slack...love is love, friendship is friendship and mothers are mothers regardless of location in relation to the Mason-Dixon line, and Wells has done an excellent job of leading us through the journey.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent stories from the South
Review: Rebecca Wells has created some of the best characters in Southern literature with Vivi, Caro, Sidda and the rest. I didn't expect to like the ya-ya books when my friend loaned them to me, but Wells' writing won me over within a few pages. Both "Little Altars" and "Divine Secrets" are honest, engaging portraits of a Southern family. Will there be a third book in this series?