I have heard raves for this book, but it didn't live up to the hype for me. It wasn't focused enough; the plot wasn't as compelling as I'd have liked.
"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" is an incredible book. It deals with difficult subjects without turning people into stereotypes. It tackles subjects of abuse, and the reactions from it psychologically on both parties. It details loving relationships between people without turning to sentimentality. And it's hilarious and heartbreaking in the same page at times...Everyone has things that they must learn to forgive our parents for. We all carry wounds from the way we were raised. We all have a sense of love for our families and friends that transcends the boundaries of rational thinking. The Ya-Ya's are truly eternal reminders that we must hang on to those things, grow from them, learn from them, but most of all, keep them close and don't analyze them...Just love them for who and what they are.
Filled with humor and heartbreaking tragedy, interesting; quirky characters, you will fall in love with this story as I have. It is best to read the companion bk., Little Altars Everywhere first.
My all-time favorite book... I've read it three times, and it never gets old. By describing three generations of women, from Buggy to Vivi to Sidda, Wells creates a picture of the complicated mother-daughter dynamic, giving background glimpses to help us understand what makes them tick. Vivi especially is a character of depth - she makes me love her one minute and hate her the next, a pattern that adds to her authenticity. And oh, the Ya-Ya's. This is a group of girls who defy the common definition of "family," proving that the bond between friends can be the most powerful thing in the world.
WONDERFUL book and movie. This was one of those books I have re-read quite a few times. I read this book first and then read Little Altars Everywhere - which helped clear up some questions I had regarding this book. Well worth your time. The 1st time I read it, I did so in two days.