Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Boring, cliched, trite, disturbing.
Review: I found this to be an obnoxious, poorly written book. Wells draws on every cliche possible. The characters are so false that I couldn't believe that other readers actually identify with them. I read this book after Little Alters Everywhere and I thought that this book was particularly weird after the sexual, psychological, and physical abuse in the first book. Why is this character idolized by the members of Ya Ya societies everywhere?

Rating:
Summary: One of the best! Buy it or borrow but make sure you read it!
Review: I absolutely loved this book. Those of you who hated it don't understand it and you may want to re-evaluate the quality of your real relationships. you have no idea what you are missing, so get over yourselves and let loose a little...this was the ultimate in female friendships and relationships. Those of you who loved it...I knew there were still kindred souls out there!!!

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Summary: A revelation about my mother's life
Review: I resisted reading "Divine Secrets" for several months even though it was recommended by a friend whose opinion I respect. I thought the title was silly (still do) and I didn't like the cover (still don't). But -- the book itself really grew on me and the most important thing about it was that it made me re-examine how I thought about my own mother, who, by the way, is nothing like any of the Ya-Yas. It is so hard to access someone else's experiences and memories; the book helped me to understand some things about my own mother just because she grew up in the same era as the Ya Yas, and for that I am thankful. It also made me wonder--why do we so often seem to have unresolved conflicts with our parents?

Rating:
Summary: Made me long for my childhood and my adulthood at once.
Review: What a wonderful book. I wish that I could have sat down in a room and read this book with all my best girlfriends around me. I feel fortunate to have the same friends now, as an adult, that I had as a child. The Ya Ya's warmed my heart and made me smile.

Rating:
Summary: Shallow characters and an alcoholic storyline.
Review: I recently read an article reviewing "A Monk Swimming", which praised the happily drunk main character and his antics, but warned that people who had alcoholics in their circle of family or friends would not find this story amusing. "Ya-yas" is another such book. It is painful to see Vivi and her ya-ya friends soaking up hard liquor as the children play and swim around them, or pack a cooler of Bloody Marys while they hop in the car and get drunk on the road. Anyone who knows the tragedy alcoholics face in their daily life will not find this glorification of such activities very charming at all.

Rating:
Summary: a wonderful read!
Review: This a wonderful book. I happened to read it before "Little Alters." I enjoyed it so much I ran out to get "Little Alters." I found myself referring to things in daily life as "ya ya" or "tres no ya ya" after I read the book. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: This book couldn't keep me interested.
Review: Please! Enough with the gosh darn Ya Ya business. My eyes couldn't roll more. M-E-L-O-D-R-A-M-A

Rating:
Summary: Insightful, entertaining, sometimes distubing!
Review: My childhood pretty much echoed that of the Petites YaYas. I very much enjoyed the insight into the different relationships and their complexities. I found the book sad at times, probably because it unearthed many buried feelings. I would recommend reading this book first, and Little Altars Everywhere, second. I think reading them in the opposite order would adversely affect the power of Divine Secrets. Yes, Virginia, people like this really do exist!

Rating:
Summary: A touching trip into the souls of women
Review: I finished reading this book five days ago and I still can't get those women out of my mind. I've read all the reviews and it seems people either hate this book or love it. I think those who hated it may not know what it is like to love people like the Ya-ya's loved each other. They also may not know what it is like to love a parent who hurt so badly inside, that they hurt you too. I do. Perhaps Sidda, her boyfriend, and her dog were too perfect. That happends. Some people hide behind perfection when they are afraid of being real. This story was real, and touching, and uncomfortable, and exactly right. Thank You Ms. Wells.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't wait to read more!
Review: Viva la Vive!! The first chapter was a little slow and suddenly it came alive! I laughed so hard during the Shirley Temple look alike contest. I am so lucky to be a Ya-Ya, even though we dont have a name. This book is a tribute to women and friendship everywhere. This has encouraged me to start a scrapbook of divine secrets. For all readers which have a special friendship, this is a MUST! For the readers who dont like the book, obviously they arent blessed to have a Ya-Ya relationship of their own. One of the best books I have read! Signed, Kim AKA Ethel