A review by jaclynday
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells
3.0
I love Rebecca Wells’ writing. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is one of a few books that I can read over and over again and still enjoy. Having never lived in Louisiana, I don’t know how accurate her depictions of the area are…but nevertheless, I was sucked in from the first page. I had high expectations for The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder having enjoyed Wells’ other books, and happily, there were traces of Wells throughout it.
But, unfortunately, I have to echo what some other reviewers have said about it which is that it’s haphazard, devoid of plot and careless with character development. The book is enjoyable, but as much as it is entertaining, it’s also equal parts frustrating and flawed. To be honest, I think the problems in this book could have been solved with a more thorough edit. It feels like a first draft in many ways—like Wells wanted to get absolutely everything down before sifting through and deciding what should stay or go. But…everything stayed. Some characters are introduced, then disappear…others come into the main character’s life and are seemingly important people to her, but never become more than a passing fancy to the reader. It’s frustrating.
This coming-of-age novel about a girl growing up in a small Louisiana town could have been so much more than it was, and there are occasional glimmers of this. To be fair, Wells’ writing doesn’t disappoint. She’s got a unique way with dialogue in particular that I’ve always enjoyed. I just wish the overall package hadn’t felt so unrefined and clunky.
But, unfortunately, I have to echo what some other reviewers have said about it which is that it’s haphazard, devoid of plot and careless with character development. The book is enjoyable, but as much as it is entertaining, it’s also equal parts frustrating and flawed. To be honest, I think the problems in this book could have been solved with a more thorough edit. It feels like a first draft in many ways—like Wells wanted to get absolutely everything down before sifting through and deciding what should stay or go. But…everything stayed. Some characters are introduced, then disappear…others come into the main character’s life and are seemingly important people to her, but never become more than a passing fancy to the reader. It’s frustrating.
This coming-of-age novel about a girl growing up in a small Louisiana town could have been so much more than it was, and there are occasional glimmers of this. To be fair, Wells’ writing doesn’t disappoint. She’s got a unique way with dialogue in particular that I’ve always enjoyed. I just wish the overall package hadn’t felt so unrefined and clunky.