lifewithmisskate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mossybean's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beckkopp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Would have been 2 stars except I did cry once (over a death that was easily predictable). I understand the sentiment behind the book, the complexity of what makes us human, however, much of the book was spent over scenes that did not progress the plot.
Spoiler
the only reflection done was to say that people are complex. I don’t think they reflected on their wrongdoing and grew at all.Spoiler
thegingerginger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
swissmunicipal's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars, leaning towards 4 for me. Generally, 3 stars is about right. However, there are a few moments in the book that I really liked/felt the impact of, and thus the slightly higher rating.
hpdischler's review against another edition
5.0
I’m sure many of you reading this review are probably like, “Wow, this girl lives in Louisiana but has never read this book.” I admit, I’m guilty, and even still I only picked it up to read it because of the book club I’m in. I’m really happy I did, though. The characters, the plot, the settings and tone are so amazing in this book that I found myself smiling every time I picked it up. My favorite thing about it, though, has to be Wells’ portrayal of people in their raw, human form where mistakes are made, people get hurt, but underneath it all, we are all just trying to find our way.
Vivi Abbott Walker was larger than life in this book and even though she didn’t get the fame she so desperately wanted, she was a mother than any girl would be lucky to have. She had her flaws just like all of the other ya-yas, but she worked through them. She overcame them even when it seemed like the whole world was against her. Having Sidda slowly journey through her mother’s past was so beautiful in the way that daughters so often misjudge their mothers.
Overall, if you want a feel-good book that is going to make you look at people and their mistakes as something that does not define them, this is the book for you. If you want a book about friendship, about the bond between a mother and a daughter, about loyalty and love and the lives that become intertwined in these traits, this is the book for you. I will never not recommend this book.
Favorite quote: “‘It’s life, Sidda. You just climb on the beast and ride.’”
Vivi Abbott Walker was larger than life in this book and even though she didn’t get the fame she so desperately wanted, she was a mother than any girl would be lucky to have. She had her flaws just like all of the other ya-yas, but she worked through them. She overcame them even when it seemed like the whole world was against her. Having Sidda slowly journey through her mother’s past was so beautiful in the way that daughters so often misjudge their mothers.
Overall, if you want a feel-good book that is going to make you look at people and their mistakes as something that does not define them, this is the book for you. If you want a book about friendship, about the bond between a mother and a daughter, about loyalty and love and the lives that become intertwined in these traits, this is the book for you. I will never not recommend this book.
Favorite quote: “‘It’s life, Sidda. You just climb on the beast and ride.’”
caitatoes's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this movie and hate the fact that it took me so long to read the book! I love women's coming of age stories and this one is both sad and heartwarming, and never too much of either.
kandicez's review against another edition
5.0
2014 - I made the mistake of reading lots of one and two star reviews for this book. It seems that many, many people take offense at Sidda and Vivi’s reconciliation at the end. Or to the wedding which they view as a trite and unrealistic ending. They find the Ya Yas disgustingly spoiled brats. They can’t forgive the alcoholism, the abuse, the list goes on and on. I don’t care. I love this book. All of these books, actually. Little Altars Everywhere and Ya Yas in Bloom too.
I don’t feel that Wells is excusing Vivi or the Ya Yas actions in any way. This is the real world and people drink, carry on, beat their children, ignore their spouses, abandon their children. We can deal with these things, forgive and carry on or we can choose not to. Forgiveness does NOT excuse bad behavior. Forgiveness is as much for the person doing the forgiving as the person receiving it. Sidda needed her mother. Forgiving her was the only way to keep her in her life. Does that make any of Vivi’s actions any less wrong? Of course not.
The Ya Yas really were spoiled brats. They were rich (to varying degrees), pampered, adored and waited on. They were young, beautiful and privileged. How could they not be spoiled? They were also loving, generous and loyal. Not only did they help their own, but there were numerous examples of them helping others outside their very tight circle. They often did so when it not only had no benefit to themselves, but actually invited criticism or ridicule. That is true charity.
I have friends. Very good, close friends, but because we moved a lot when I was a child I have no friends that I knew earlier than my teens. I long for someone who knows everything about me. Knows it all and still loves me. The closest thing I have to that is my children, but we are different people to our children than we are to our friends. My children will never know my deepest secrets or my youthful idiocy, nor should they, but I feel I can experience that closeness vicariously through the Ya Yas and Petite Ya Yas in Wells’ books.
I don’t feel that Wells is excusing Vivi or the Ya Yas actions in any way. This is the real world and people drink, carry on, beat their children, ignore their spouses, abandon their children. We can deal with these things, forgive and carry on or we can choose not to. Forgiveness does NOT excuse bad behavior. Forgiveness is as much for the person doing the forgiving as the person receiving it. Sidda needed her mother. Forgiving her was the only way to keep her in her life. Does that make any of Vivi’s actions any less wrong? Of course not.
The Ya Yas really were spoiled brats. They were rich (to varying degrees), pampered, adored and waited on. They were young, beautiful and privileged. How could they not be spoiled? They were also loving, generous and loyal. Not only did they help their own, but there were numerous examples of them helping others outside their very tight circle. They often did so when it not only had no benefit to themselves, but actually invited criticism or ridicule. That is true charity.
I have friends. Very good, close friends, but because we moved a lot when I was a child I have no friends that I knew earlier than my teens. I long for someone who knows everything about me. Knows it all and still loves me. The closest thing I have to that is my children, but we are different people to our children than we are to our friends. My children will never know my deepest secrets or my youthful idiocy, nor should they, but I feel I can experience that closeness vicariously through the Ya Yas and Petite Ya Yas in Wells’ books.
elizmarie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0