Books that have the capability to introduce you to different lifestyles and transport you to places you haven't really given much thought before are my favorite kind. This book does exactly that. It is a book of many kinds-some chapters are warm and funny and some will leave a sick taste in your mouth. I am no stranger to dysfunctional families but for once, and thankfully so, I couldn't relate to the children in this book at all, and yet towards the end of the book I had developed a fond sense of protection towards all of them (although I am probably biased towards Siddalee and Baylor). The fact that this book is much more than a light hearted Southern family lore type book like its predecessor and that it touches important topics such as sexual abuse and racism made me reminiscent of To Kill A Mockingbird and is probably why once I finally gave it my full attention I couldn't put it down.

Felt incomplete

I finished the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood last night, so I was familiar with all the characters. Given the strain between Vivi and Sidda in that book, I would've liked to understand more of that dynamic, and in a sense, I did in this one because the family stories are told from multiple perspectives. I really appreciated the views of all the men, especially, but this is where it felt incomplete. Vivi is highly self-centered and in many ways, a deplorable mother, but she loves her children as best as she can. So when Little Shep and Bay started to open up, there was a bit of dissonance for me because I couldn't believe she was that horrible a mother. Though nothing was said explicitly, I feel like I needed a whole book for them, like Sidda, got for herself.

I would also have liked to see more of the relationship between all the younger siblings. Since Sidda got her own book, I felt like I knew her better, but her sister and brothers, particularly Lulu, are fascinating to me on their own. We had only gotten a small taste of what it was like between the two boys, and that would've been worth exploring some more. As for Lulu, I'd like to know more about her transformation from adolescence to womanhood. So while I enjoyed this book so much more, I found it very frustratingly incomplete.

Starts out as light chick lit, where all the women are kind and witty and fun and motherly and all the men monsters, fools or worse, then takes a very dark turn. I was about to abandon ship until then; even then, not sure I wanted to continue 'cos Vivi (the mother) doesn't quite ring true. She's that much of a monster? Not really hinted at in parts 1 and 2. Wells is taking a stab here at Southern Gothic ala Faulkner or O'Connor, but undermines herself by chick-lit-ishness then 1980s-style family horror. What, no Satanic ceremonies? But the book does redeem itself at the end with some very touching nostalgia.

I feel like this is three books, one chick lit lite, the other chick lit dark, the third a longing from lost childhood, but they only don’t mesh all that well.

Easy read. I liked the writing and the fact that the chapters are from various characters' points of view. But why is so much literature and drama centered on people who are really messed up? I mean, we're all messed up in our own special ways, but there's such a lot of real dysfunction in fiction. In this book, the mother, Vivi, is a narcissistic alcoholic who sexually abuses and beats her children. The father, also a heavy drinker, struggles with constant feelings of inadequacy and is absent much of the time. The kids all suffer from various neuroses. But I suppose if you wrote about a family without dysfunctions like this it just wouldn't be as intriguing and shocking, would it? Anyway, I enjoyed the book, thought the 1950s southern dialect was fun and may even read more Rebecca Wells books in the future.

I should say: I read Divine Secrets first. That book is one of my top 5 books of all time and helped me through my PPD after my second baby, so I eagerly dove into this prequel. I read it until the Very Bad Thing happened, and then I slammed the book shut and pretended it never happened.

Not the fun romp of the Ya Ya 'sisters' I was expecting. While the characters are well written, the undertones of child abuse and alcoholism make for a dark, uncomfortable story.

This book is a family drama at its finest. Growing up in 1960s Louisiana was very dysfunctional for the Walker family. I loved how each chapter was from each kid’s POV (loved Lulu!), that way you were able to get more perspective on this family. For me the outside view of Chaney and Wiletta (and the kids when they’re all grown up) was vital in understanding how abusive Vivi was. She was just not born to be a mom which was made clear, but she also loved and desperately needed her kids’ attention and validation. This book also shed light on racism with the way the Walker parents treated Chaney and Wiletta and the vast differences b/w them.

Overall I enjoyed this book and read it pretty quick, I thought the length was perfect.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I do deeply respond to Wells's writing. This is not a novel like the cover says, in my opinion, but more a collection of vignettes. They are connected and work to develop the characters who star in them. But you can easily read one in isolation without having read the others. Furthermore, if you are sensitive to child abuse SKIP OVER the chapters "Willetta's Witness" and "Snuggling." You do not need to read them to appreciate the rest of the book. I am confident that many of the low ratings are because of these two chapters.

That being said, there is just something so sentimental and nostalgic about the way Wells writes. She makes me want to walk barefoot in the grass and drive with all the windows down. If you grew up in the small town South before the turn of the century, you will likely understand what I mean when you read this. The same can be said for her other book, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lilly Ponder which happens to be one of my favorites books I've ever read. LAE isn't close, but it isn't far off either.

I'm so glad I read this. It was a tonic for my soul.

The reason why Rebecca Wells fell almost deathly ill with Lyme disease is because she tried to capitalize off of molestation. It is sick. I’ve read this book at least 1,000,000 times and am just picking up on things that I never saw before. So Little Shep wasnt the only one molested, it is possible she molested all of her children based on Little Shep’s line “if Sidda was sleep and the bitch hadn’t gotten enough yet” was sickening to read. Then to read about Baylor’s erection problem; I circled back to the conversation he had over the phone with Sidda where she asked “is it true Momma used to crawl in bed with us after she belt whipped us?” “HUH”. Then BAYLOR CONFIRMED!!! And tried to brush it off. MIND YOU, when Baylor was little he could barely swallow. This book is so sick and then you go to read Divine Secrets of the Yaya Sisterhood which should be called “the Divine methods of Supreme Gaslighting” you think Sidda is just tripping and that vivi dahling is just misunderstood and broken cause her parents were sick and crazy and Jacque died. Nope. This lady a WHOLE child molester and I WOULD PAY FOR REBECCA WELLS to write an installment where all her friends and Willeta find out.

Let’s get into the Willeta thing too. How did she get away with that? And I’m talking about Rebecca Wells writing as if she was “an illiterate Black person”. It pissed me off imagining her at a typewriter doing Willeta and Chaney’s parts “uh Miz vivi I’s told you not to go see dem cat eyes priest they mean”. Like what??????? To see in text Big Shep say “I wonder what it was like for the niggers”. WHAT Rebecca Wells???

It’s important to note that this book and this whole series is all about karma. Big Shep thought he was going something noble sending Lincoln off to war when Chaney asked him sincerely to not do that and Big Shep had known Lincoln his whole life. He validated it with “there may be better opportunities out there for him than here” but insisted on keeping HIS boys home and vivi ended up molesting all of them. Were those the better opportunities you wanted for your sons, Big Shep??

I read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood years ago and don't remember much about it. This book focuses on one of them and her family. It's about family relationships--the good and the bad. Each chapter focuses on one character, giving their personal story from their point of view. The first part has the children and others telling about incidents in their lives. The second part is 25 years later with everyone reminiscing about past times, giving their different perspectives about how the past has influenced the present. Many stories have elements that are not pleasant to read, but all are poignant. Humor is an important element.

I have mixed feelings about this book. My main issue with it is the way it’s marketed and I still am at a complete loss as to why so many people described it as funny and lighthearted. The way this book is written almost normalizes child abuse to the point where I was completely caught off guard to see what Vivi was capable of despite all the warning signs being there. I cannot sympathize with this character at all and I am astonished that the author went on to write more books about her specifically.

However, the writing itself was enjoyable and the later descriptions of PTSD felt really well done to me. I think the balance was off though, where it seems like the light moments ended up undermining the darker ones, instead of providing relief. I kind of wish I hadn’t read this one.

Little Altars Everywhere", the second book in the Ya Yas series by Rebecca Wells, follows Siddalee, the main character, as she navigates life as a successful playwright and deals with the drama that comes with it. Siddalee is a fiery, independent woman who is trying to figure out how to balance her career and her relationships, all while surrounded by the love and chaos of the Ya Ya sisterhood.

Siddalee is the daughter of the group's leader, the wild and unpredictable Vivi Abbott Walker. Despite their tumultuous relationship, Siddalee and Vivi are fiercely devoted to each other and their bond is tested throughout the book. Siddalee also grapples with the complexities of her own romantic relationships, including a tumultuous marriage and a longstanding feelings for an old flame.

One major theme in the book is the portrayal of the negative impact of alcoholism and the difficulties of overcoming it. Siddalee's mother, Vivi Abbott Walker, is an alcoholic and Siddalee has to come to terms with the ways in which Vivi's addiction has affected their relationship and Siddalee's own life.

Additionally, the book delves into the difficult topic of childhood trauma and its lasting effects. Siddalee and the other Ya Yas have all experienced trauma in their pasts and must work through the pain and hurt it has caused in their present lives.

Despite these heavy themes, "Little Altars Everywhere" is a funny and heartwarming look at the bonds of female friendship. It's a page-turner that will have you laughing, crying, and rooting for Siddalee every step of the way. Trust me, you won't be able to put this one down.