Scan barcode
A review by kandicez
Divine Secrets of the YA-YA Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
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.