Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood : A Novel

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Summary: THIS WAS A MOST ENTERTAINING & ENJOYABLE READ.
Review: This book was entertaining and uplifting definitely the best thing I have read in years. The characters are fun witty and falable, totally human in every way. You find yourself wishing the book would go on. I grew up in the south in the same time frame and this book was a trigger for some of my own memories good and bad of that era. I cannot wait for Rebbeca Wells next book. I will be first in line to buy it!!

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Summary: Truly, one of the best novels I have ever read!
Review: Rebecca Wells has managed to capture the essence of the intense bond of girl friends as well as the peaks and valleys relationship of mothers and daughters. No one book has ever held me so spell bound that, I didn't just read it twice myself, but have bought it over and over again because I can't bare for my friends and family to have not read it. I laughed until I cried, then, the very next chapter I would sob at the bitter-sweet truths in Ms. Wells novel. I have been a YaYa Sister for years and never knew we had a name until I read this novel. You must read it!!!

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Summary: The Book for All Women (and some men)
Review: If you can't identify with the younger woman who's telling this story, you will with Mom and her friends. Extremely well-written novel about women, friendships, families, self-examination, and, most of all, love. If men really want to understand us, they'll read this book! I'll read it again, I'm sure.

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Summary: Addictive, touching...hard to put down!
Review: From the moment I opened to the first page I was hooked. The characters (especially Vivi) come to life off the page & I could hear their voices in my head. Wells treats the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship with intelligent characters, smart, quick dialogue and subtle gestures. I even found myself imagining several of the characters embodied in strangers on the street. I was sad to finish this novel, but look forward to her next book.

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Summary: overwrought and wrong
Review: I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about, so I bought and read both this and LITTLE ALTARS EVERYWHERE. Ugh. Aside frome the fact that the details are often WRONG ("crayfish"? OYSTER muffulettas?), it's overwrought, overheated, the framing story is moronic.... How can you caonize a mother who is an alcoholic child-beating sexual abuser? Why would you want friends like the equally alcoholic and shallow Ya-Yas? As a friend of mine said, "All of the women who love this book are people I cannot stand."

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Summary: A great telling of a mother and daughter relationship
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. I felt that the author really captured the emotions and personallities of the charactors, but she did not go to overboard. There was still enough left unexplained for the reader to fill in their own way. I enjoyed all parts of this book. That of when the mother, Vivi, was a child, when the daughter, Sidda, was growing up. And that of the present. All three parts showed how life was for that group of people(rich white southerners) at a specific time. The only thing that i think could have possibley made this book better would have been if there was more of a destinction between when the time period changed. Occasionaly I found myself not sure of when Ms. Wells was refering to, but it isn't the worst thing, and it can be tolarated. I have heard there is a pre-quill to this book, and i look foward to reading it.

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Summary: OVERATED!
Review: With all the 'glowing' reviews this book received I couldn't wait to pick it up (the cover itself is reason enough to buy this book!) and read it. Talk about a disappointment! I could not get into Wells' style of writing and lack of character development. I found myself having no sense of feeling for the main characters and had to force myself to read this book - finally quit after 224 pages. Very disappointing.

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Summary: Sensitive, perceptive, humourous, thought provoking
Review: Wells'writing style lent a uniqueness to the book which added to its power. Wells tackled the beautiful and painful bond between a mother and a daughter with humor, sensitivity and painful directness. This novel made me call my mother and tell her I love her as my friend.

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Summary: Wonderful, thought provoking book.
Review: This was a terrific book. I experienced mixed emotions... wish I would have grown up in Louisanna (can't say "yall" in Wisconsin and get away with it!)with all those colorful, eccentric, loving people. At same time I'm glad my own childhood was filled with more stability and a lot less alcohol. Enjoyed the relationships, both mother/daughter and Ya Ya. Certainly has caused a desire to read more books of this type.

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Summary: Best book of the year!
Review: I can't get over this book! I just finished it, and am ready to read it again. Discovered this book on Amazon.com, and thankfully read the reviews suggesting reading Little Alters Everywhere first. I hated Vivi in the second half of Little Alters, but YaYa brought me around to loving her, warts and all. I've recommended these books to everyone I know!