Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully written, great story flow!
Review: I bought the book for the title alone. It just sounded like it would be great. Boy, did I under- estimate this book.As I read, I thought, "I can relate to Sidalee" a few times. As I continued to read, I began to think, "Wow, I've been there and done that!". It was so easy to relate to her, and the relationship she is struggling to have with her mother. By the end of the book, when Sidalee draws her life changing opinion of how she is going to see her mother, and what kind of relationship they will have, I was nearly shouting, "HEY! That's me!!!" I loved the book so much that I promptly wrote a note in it and mailed it to my own mother. Besides the great storyline, the book just flows so beautifully. There is no start-stop jerky writing, no "out of place" character moves...it was just a fantastic little book. I can not wait to read her next one, and I urge anyone to read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable read
Review: I didn't hate this book as many other reviewers have, but didn't love it as much, either. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the book and found it a fast, fun read. This book did not change my life, or increase my interest in any particular reading genre or subject, which is what I usually like a book to do. However, I really liked the development of Vivi's character -- I liked seeing her as a young girl, as a mother, and as an older woman. I enjoyed these characters, and was eager to read more about their lives. I immediately purchased Little Alters Everywhere after reading this book, and have been enjoying it as well. In essence, this book is a very enjoyable escape for a few hours with some wonderful characters, but don't expect it to be more than that.
Rating:
Summary: If they'd let me give it more than 5 stars, I would!!
Review: This book, I believe, touches women in that space where you are always trying to live with and figure out your Mother. Wells does a great job in telling both Vivi's and Sidda's stories -- I'd often get absorbed in YaYa-ness that I'd forget about Sidda. It's been far too LONG since a book engrossed me this much. I've also enjoyed reactions as I walked around carrying the book. Total strangers have stopped me to say, "Isn't that book wonderful?" I agree with another person who recommends Amy Tan's books which also explore the mother--daughter thing.
Rating:
Summary: painful truths embellished with fairytale details
Review: I am drying my tears after finishing the last page of the saga of the Ya-Yas. The universal truths of a mother-daughter relationship are woven into the rich fabric of Catholic Lousiana. There is laughter here in the details but tears in the message. Wells delves into psychoanalysis without uttering psychobabble. She arrives at truths without making pronouncements. She provides catharsis without using a purgative. I am an enlightened daughter for having read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Your less than perfect life might be o.k.
Review: I enjoyed this book and was very very sad when I finished it because it had put me in such a good mood. I read Little Altars Everywhere first and I think I liked that slightly better. There wasn't as much meandering as in Ya-Ya Sisterhood where I felt the author spent too much narrative time justifying why it was important for Sidda to discover these secrets. I was often impatient to get to discovering what it was that made Vivi who she is. Despite the lengthy transitions to get to each revelation, it was always a great story once you got there. I appreciated how Wells did not dwell in misery and dysfunctional families. I came away with the feeling that dysfunctional families -- most of us have them in one way or another, are o.k. You can survive and have a great time in your life even if life hasn't been nearly perfect for you. This book is Highly Recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: I WANT TO BE A YA-YA!
Review: Divine Secrets is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. The ideas this book shares about the mother/daughter relationship will ring true to many women, whether mother, daughter, grandmother, or friend. The power of the woman-to-woman relationship is explored and discussed beautifully throughout the entire novel. This book made me want to be a Ya-Ya, move to Louisiana, and most of all, call my mom.
Rating:
Summary: really terrific
Review: I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. I particularly enjoyed Sidda's journey of discovery into her mother's past. There is something painfully real about Sidda's struggle to accept Vivi as she is, flaws and all. That includes coming to terms with the dubious legacy which she received from her mother. There is a tremendous beauty in accepting the imperfections in oneself and one's loved ones. I would recommend Amy Tan's _Hundred Secret Senses_ for anyone who liked this book - they are different but deal with some similar themes. For a born and bred Yankee, I also enjoyed the descriptions of life in Louisiana. I'm planning on lending my copy to my mother. Read the book uncritically - that is how it is meant to be experienced, I believe.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!
Review: This is a must read for anyone -- particularly any woman -- who has ever been confused about her relationship with her mother. It's touching, poignant, funny -- an all-around excellent book. This is one to pick up on a day when you have nothing but time because you won't want to put it down!
Rating: 
Summary: garbage
Review: this book was some of the most heavy handed, trite garbage I have ever read. I love coming of age books, books about friendship, about interesting and wonderous cultures. This book sadly lacked the depth and originality and thoughtfulness that I hoped for. To this reader, it had all the makings of network, not even cable, made for TV movie of the week or sitcom.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and, in the end, real
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Unless you have gone through something similar you may think it is trite and very manipulating. But it isn't, there are people all around the South (and maybe around the country) who are just like this. I actually think this is just as much a part of the South as grits and mint julieps, you just accept this disjunctional behavior and dismiss it as "that is how it was". But I really enjoyed this book because I think Sidalee accepted her life -- the good and the bad. That is a blessing to her and others like her.
| 
