Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood : A Novel

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Summary: The story of the Sisterhood we all wish to ba a part of...
Review: The smell of Cajun cooking floats through the thick Louisianna air. Four girls, Caro, Necie, Teensy, and Vivi, all connected by their divine sisterhood, swing on the porch of a grand Southern home. Fifty years down the road and half way across the country, Siddalee, Vivi's daughter, sits on another porch deep in the Northwest rainforest. Rebecca Wells novel, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, explores the complex relationships that we all must experience in our lives. Throughout the book, Rebecca Wells' reveals the lives and memories of both Siddalee and Vivi Walker. Her descriptions of the characters are very vivid, and she goes on to describe scenes so well that you almost feel that you are there. Although the descrptions keep you involved, the book may go slow at times. Divine Secrets shows a wonderful account of growing up in the South. It truly is a book about the deep rooted, complex relationships built in life. It shows never wavering friendships, the complexity of being in love, and mother-daughter relationships. It shows you how the good outweighs the bad, and the unconditional love that is unfathomable even to the realist. Our group of five students enjoyed this book, and each got something different out of it. We believe that each of you would get something wonderful out of it as well.

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Summary: The NY Times Book Review was right not to feature Ya Yas
Review: Since the book was given to me as a gift, I can only be grateful I didn't put out my hard earned money for a copy. To compare the characters in this novel with the characters in Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind" - or any of Flannery O'Connors short stories - would be ludicrous. The Ya Yas were characters who never changed and they all were interchangeable. This novel has been compared to "The Bridges of Madison County." While I think it is a valid comparison, "Bridges" was intended by the author to be a "spoof" although, ironically, it was not received that way. Evidently "literary" history repeats itself. Worst of all, this book is boring. I am only half through it, but I keep it on my bedside table at night and after a page or two, I am sound asleep. At this rate, I should finish it by the millenium.

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Summary: This book has a dual personality
Review: This is two completely separate books -- one wonderful and one awful. When Wells is writing about the Ya-Yas' childhood, the book is hilarious, touching and most importantly, rings true. I literally laughed out loud and even cried at several points. When she's writing about Sidda's adult life, however, the book is trite and stilted and full of awkward, painful efforts to show how cool and hip Sidda and her adoring (WHY??? She's boring as hell) friends and lover are. Wells relies far too much on the annoying device whereby writers attempt to make their otherwise lackluster characters interesting by telling us about the trendy foods they eat and the cool music they listen to. It makes me suspect that Wells sees Sidda as an alter-ego of herself, and is desperate to portray herself as funky and interesting. This was so disappointing that it nearly ruined the book for me. I found myself skimming the "adult Sidda" sections, only because they might contain something vital to the "Ya-Ya girlhood" sections; otherwise, I would have ignored them entirely. Without the adult Sidda, this would have been one of my favorite books ever. But because she is such a dominant and ANNOYING presence, I have to give the book only two stars.

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Summary: I loved this book- it was wonderful
Review: I think that women everywhere should read this book. It is the heart wrenching book about families, and mother- daughter relationships in particular. Not only did I laugh, I cried! I can't wait to read Little Altars Everywhere. I can only pray that it will be as interesting!

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Summary: A captivating novel of four wild friends growing up.
Review: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, by Rebecca Wells, captures the essence of four wild friends growing up in the heart of Louisiana. From flash backs to a scrapbook of secrets, this novel is a gumbo of humor, complexion and growth. This feminine novel is about how a mother and daughter's relationship blossoms as they discover more about each other. This novel consists of the Ya-Yass, there are four childhood girlfriends, and one of the Ya-Yas' daughter. After a miscommunication between Vivi Abbott (a ya-ya), and Siddalee Walker (a petite ya-ya), Sidda gains interest about her mother's childhood. From this point on, the book recounts the memories of the Ya-Yas. Rebecca Wells did a good job describing the memories of the Ya-Yas and their unique strong bond. Although in some parts, her writing becomes confusing when she changes points of view and jumps from past to present sending the reader on a wild ride trying to figure out who is narrating. She bases the plot on a feminine perspective, which makes it difficult for the male reader to appreciate it. The descriptive stories of the Ya-Yas made this book very interesting and fun. There were some bad points though. It is always told from the woman's point of view, whether it is Sidda, Vivi, or one of the Ya-Yas. Another negative part is the 356 pages of this book. It could have easily been told in at least 250. The novel also had some positive points. One of these was a good example of the mother and daughter relationship, and watching it progress. Overall this ia an enjoyable novel with great stories that can be related to real life experiences. It was entirely different than anything we have read. We would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy reading about life experience and relationships. We believe that everyone would benefit from reading this wonderful novel.

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Summary: This book defines true friendship!
Review: This book makes you realize how important all of your frienships are, and how you should not take them for granted.

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Summary: best, most entertaining book of 1998 for me!
Review: Rebecca Wells is able to weave a delightful story of southern Catholic women that is entertaining, heart-rending, and very memorable. I have recommended this book to many of my reading friends

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Summary: Dreadful
Review: ...truly dreadful

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Summary: NOT IMPRESSED
Review: After about a month, I finally managed to finish this book. If you want to read about a bunch of selfish, alcoholic nudist, then this is the book for you. If you want to read something worth reading, try Michael Lee West.

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Summary: Aren't we all imperfect?
Review: Are you one star reporters perfect, in denial, or simply boring. Who said you must "like" the characters or find them virtuous? True friendship is real with the YA-YA's because sometimes all of us don't do the right thing, even for those we love, and because those women also did do caring and loving things in their weakness. I think you all have missed the boat on humankind and the grace that good characters and readers give one another. Wells understands two key life concepts: vulnerability and acceptance, do you?