Customer Reviews

The Ya-Ya Boxed Set: Little Altars Everywhere/The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dear Fellow Readers, I have read both of Rebecca Wells two books, and was utterly amazed by both. I first picked up "Little Altars Everywhere" because of it's intriguing cover, but once I got past the first page, I never put it down. The book tells of a everlasting friendship between a group of women, who call themselves the "Ya-Ya's". It is such a change to read a book about a friendship that actually lasts throughout the years, and it is just an uplifting, amazing book. It is funny, and sad, it is serious, and enlighting, at the same time. It is just a wonderful set of books, that you do not want to miss reading in your lifetime. There is not enough words of praise to compliment this book. My only complaint is that there are only two of them. Be prepared to feel like you are a member of their family, and be prepared to feel a sorrow when the book comes to an end. If you don't read these two books, you are only cheating yourself out on, two of the greatest peices of literature I have read in a long time.

Many say that you can't understand the intricacies of this book unless you are from the south, but I would disagree. As a transplanted southerner (originally from the Pacific Northwest)I would still put this book high on my list of books that convey what I like to call "universal truths". Through all of the emotion and tradition of the Ya-Ya's the thing that touched me most was the conveyance of true friendship with unconditional love. It also offered insightful perspective to daughters about the need to "ride out" the waves of the mother daughter relationship. After I finished, I immediately sent the box set to my mother and little sister. So, give us notherners and transplanted southerners a little slack...love is love, friendship is friendship and mothers are mothers regardless of location in relation to the Mason-Dixon line, and Wells has done an excellent job of leading us through the journey.

it's the most amazing book i've read on friendships and mother/daughter relationships.any one who has a friend from their childhood should read this and cherish the words that are in it.

I was leant a well read dog-eared copy of 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' a few years ago and came to know and love Rebecca Wells' style and story telling capabilities.

Ms. Wells has the ability to capture a particular era and region of the country (the South) and make her characters come alive.

The Ya-Yas are all about friendship, loyalty and some much darker and less admirable human traits as well. Some of the situations recounted in these two VERY different books about the Walker family will have the reader squirming with discomfort. For Rebecca Wells is intent on telling the whole story: the bad, the sad, the shocking, as well about the successes, the joys and a lot of giggles at the funnier side of human nature.

When you have finished both volumes in this boxed set, you will have a really good idea of what makes a very complex set of family members (the Walkers) "tick". What keeps them together, what may tear them apart. The journey isn't going to be boring in Ms. Wells' talented hands.

The story(stories) prove that being a "southern belle" isn't nearly as easy as you might think.

I'm happy to have my own lovely boxed set, combining both volumes 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' and 'Little Alters Everywhere', so I can revisit these fascinating people any time I want. My particular recommendation for the reader would be to read 'Divine Secrets' first and then flesh out the history of the clan with 'Little Alters'. But I have wondered many times why Ms. Wells published the smaller, episodic 'Little Alters' first. So those uninitiated into Ya-Ya-hood, may wish to read them in order of the published date. If you do, PLEASE let me know what you think about the experience. I'd be interested in your opinions.

Rebecca Wells has created some of the best characters in Southern literature with Vivi, Caro, Sidda and the rest. I didn't expect to like the ya-ya books when my friend loaned them to me, but Wells' writing won me over within a few pages. Both "Little Altars" and "Divine Secrets" are honest, engaging portraits of a Southern family. Will there be a third book in this series?

I read these books in reverse order which I do not recommend. The YaYas as teens were so much like my own years of growing up in the 40s in Alabama,it was painful. I was keenly aware of the pain behind all the hijinks and cutups and all the digressions we were put ourselves and others through to hide the pain. In Little Altars she does a wonderful job of exposing each of the characters with the paradoxes they lived with and on some level were aware of...the love that often came too late or was rebuffed; the family ties that bind though all the gothic-ness of southern family systems. I especially loved the reality of the love between the whites and the black caregivers that tied them all together in some special way. It is a way that only another southerner who has lived there would comprehend. They are good books that give another face to "family values".

This book is absolutely wonderful. She makes you cry on one page and laugh on the next (which is okay, because "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion..."). This book is so southern, so Catholic, so crazy and touching. Little Altars, which I read next, is much darker. I recommend reading Divine Secrets first, or you'll end up disliking Vivian too much to really enjoy it.

This book deserves to be celebrated in a major way, because it is the best-loved book of the decade. It's a rare event in american literature and will not be forgotten, largely due to the genius that created it! To celebrate and remember the joys and lessons I received from this book I would love to own a Ya Ya Christmas ornament (elephant, leap frog women, cocker spaniel, scrapbook) to hang on my tree, in the vein of Christopher Radko. A scrapbook for our own 'divine secrets' to pass along to our daughters. A Ya Ya talk show, magazine, key chain, sunglasses, perfume, clothing, retreat. I would adore having a set of china figurines. Young Ya-Ya's need a set of dolls (and a convertible to drive off in). But the thing I want most is a make your own Little Altar (how to make one? I tried to but I don't know if I did it right.). Every woman should have one when the kids are whining and life is going wild. Also, I would adore to have a video with the author acting out the roles. I have not had a chance to see her but I hear it is better than anything on Broadway. Ms. Wells has become a cultural icon. She is the Queen of the Ya Yas. Long may she reign supreme.

84,000 blessings (put this on an ornament too)

If you have seen Hallmark's beautiful plates and dishes for Jan Karon, just imagine the ones for the Ya Ya parties!

Rebecca Wells is excellent in her novel debut! Both books are marvelous and hard to put down. You'll read both of them in a week-guaranteed! Vivi and the Ya-yas will touch you and your life will never be the same!

Scads of emotions fly as the pages wiz by.....and you just can't help making a list of every friend you'd like to send a copy!

(Make them cheaper by the dozen,please!)