bookapotamus's review against another edition
4.0
Even if you've seen the movie - I still recommend reading the story! It's a sonnet to true friends, and family (especially mother-daughter dynamics), the scars of abusive relationships, and how these all intertwined can shape and change everyone involved. It's also funny! :)
Siddalee delves into her mothers past, curious about the Ya-Ya Sisters and their secrets. She finds out so much about her mother, and in addition, about herself. Her mother just might grow up a little along the way as well.
I love the Ya-Ya stories and I re-read them often, hoping Rebecca Wells might just write another!
Siddalee delves into her mothers past, curious about the Ya-Ya Sisters and their secrets. She finds out so much about her mother, and in addition, about herself. Her mother just might grow up a little along the way as well.
I love the Ya-Ya stories and I re-read them often, hoping Rebecca Wells might just write another!
karieh13's review against another edition
5.0
The only thing better than reading Wells's beautiful prose is listening to her read it. (Which is how I heard about her in the first place - she was reading part of her book in an interview.)
kthomas4415's review against another edition
4.0
Relationships like the ya-ya's don't come around anymore. Nice to see an imperfect mom story with a redemption arc.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
5.0
5 STARS
"When Siddalee Walker, oldest daughter of Vivi Abbott Walker, Ya-Ya extraordinaire, is interviewed in the New York Times about a hit play she's directed, her mother gets described as a "tap-dancing child abuser." Enraged, Vivi disowns Sidda. Devastated, Sidda begs forgiveness, and postpones her upcoming wedding. All looks bleak until the Ya-Yas step in and convince Vivi to send Sidda a scrapbook of their girlhood mementos, called "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." As Sidda struggles to analyze her mother, she comes face to face with the tangled beauty of imperfect love, and the fact that forgiveness, more than understanding, is often what the heart longs for." (From Amazon)
I love this novel and it has become a comfort novel for me. I enjoy the characters - flaw and all - and that it is set in the South. Just a fun read.
"When Siddalee Walker, oldest daughter of Vivi Abbott Walker, Ya-Ya extraordinaire, is interviewed in the New York Times about a hit play she's directed, her mother gets described as a "tap-dancing child abuser." Enraged, Vivi disowns Sidda. Devastated, Sidda begs forgiveness, and postpones her upcoming wedding. All looks bleak until the Ya-Yas step in and convince Vivi to send Sidda a scrapbook of their girlhood mementos, called "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." As Sidda struggles to analyze her mother, she comes face to face with the tangled beauty of imperfect love, and the fact that forgiveness, more than understanding, is often what the heart longs for." (From Amazon)
I love this novel and it has become a comfort novel for me. I enjoy the characters - flaw and all - and that it is set in the South. Just a fun read.
greenjem's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alliehunt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
halirose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Drug use, Grief, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Classism, Racism, Mental illness, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, and Confinement
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