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stephsparkles's review against another edition
This may be one I read over listening to the audiobook. I couldn't fully get into it, but maybe I will try again.
mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
Siddalee Walker is a notable play director who has been recently profiled in the New York Times. In this interview, Sidda shares that her mother (Vivi Walker) abused her as a child. When Vivi reads about it, she severs all ties with her daughter. Siddalee is devastated, and feels she cannot get married to her fiance until she has made amends with her mother. Vivi finally relents and sends Siddalee her scrapbook-the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood-which celebrates Vivi's friendships with the Ya-Yas. Sidda learns much about her mother and the Ya-Yas; and learns the importance of forgiving and loving tenderly.
The focus on importance of friendships and the mother-daughter relationship was nice. There were some subtly racist comments (which I guess are a "product of the time" since it was set in the 1930s-1960s), but neither Siddalee nor the Ya-Yas commented on the inappropriateness of it.
The focus on importance of friendships and the mother-daughter relationship was nice. There were some subtly racist comments (which I guess are a "product of the time" since it was set in the 1930s-1960s), but neither Siddalee nor the Ya-Yas commented on the inappropriateness of it.
mamareadstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the exploration of nuance. I know it's a popular almost classic novel, but it was my first time reading it, and I loved the way it didn't gloss over the pain and trauma, didn't harbor there for too long, didn't forgive the trauma but was able to move beyond it. Beautiful and heartwrenching and aching and glorious glorious friendships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Suicide, Cursing, Mental illness, Violence, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Eating disorder, Racism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Infertility, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, War, Death of parent, and Slavery
meessmeeth's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mbenzz's review against another edition
2.0
I was really not impressed by this book. After reading both of them I think Little Altars Everywhere was MUCH better. Ya-Ya dragged on and was sorta boring. There were some good parts though, like all the flashbacks of Vivi in her younger days, but Sidda just annoyed me in this book.
Everything that is wrong in her life is instantly blamed on her mother. She may not of had the best childhood...but it wasn't awful, and Vivi is surely NOT the root of all her problems. It just gets old after a couple hundred pages of her whining and self-doubt. I definitely recommend Little Alters, and if you want to know why Vivi is the way she is, then Ya-Ya as well, but it takes a lot to get there.
Everything that is wrong in her life is instantly blamed on her mother. She may not of had the best childhood...but it wasn't awful, and Vivi is surely NOT the root of all her problems. It just gets old after a couple hundred pages of her whining and self-doubt. I definitely recommend Little Alters, and if you want to know why Vivi is the way she is, then Ya-Ya as well, but it takes a lot to get there.
miasiner13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jess_mango's review
3.0
This is one of those books that every woman and their sister AND their mother has read. It would constantly come up as a potential book club selection back around 2000. Somehow, I eneded up with 2 copies of it on my shelves. I read one, thought it was okay, and gave both copies away. It was a fun enough read, but probably not something that I would ever read again.
arrrjae's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75