- Paperback: 544 pages
- Publisher: Pan Books; New edition edition (6 Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0330411500
- ISBN-13: 978-0330411509
- Product Dimensions: 18.2 x 11.1 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 178,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Siddalee Walker's mother Vivi disowns her daughter when a reporter, who interviews the 40-year-old, successful director, describes her mother as a "tap dancing child abuser". Devastated, Sidda postpones her wedding. The Ya-Yas, Vivi's strong circle of friends since childhood, are horrified and agree to send Siddalee the scrapbook of "Divine Secrets" to try and help her to understand her mother and herself.
Sidda submerges herself in the wild, wondrous and wicked world of the Ya-Yas as she reads through half-a-century's worth of letters and clippings contained in the Ya-Ya Sisterhood's parcel of "Divine Secrets". Middle-class Louisiana quakes as the quartet makes its way through adolescence: from being disqualified from the Shirley-Temple-look-a-like competition because Teensy did a "poot", to attending the premiere of Gone with the Wind in Atlanta, only for Vivi's hoop skirt, "much to her confusion, to go entirely over the head of the person sitting in the seat in front of her", to spending a night in jail after floating naked on a hot southern evening in the town's water cooler.
Rebecca Wells, author of Little Altars Everywhere (in which Siddalee Walker describes the anguishes of childhood), has created a beautifully crafted, penetrating insight into society, friendship, the mother/daughter divide and religion. No subject is taboo as you dip in and out of the lives of Vivi, Teensy, Caro and Necie--the Ya Yas. --Nicola Perry --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"A very entertaining and, ultimately, deeply moving novel about the complex bonds between mother and daughter." -- "Washington Post"One heck of a rollicking good read...You'll laugh. You'll cry. But you'll mostly want to laugh and offer Wells a hearty merci." -- "Columbus Dispatch"An insightful, delicious novel." -- "The Oregonian
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
Tap-dancing child abuser. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Tap-dancing child abuser. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If a humble (British) male is permitted a view on this, I'll say forget all those 'Mars' & 'Venus' theories. Read this book and a few more males may get to understand why we guys so often just don't understand!
Having just viewed the movie, it's prompted memories of reading the book about a year ago. Both experiences were thoroughly enjoyable - in a vividly coloured, brightly populated, emotionally roller-coasting kind of way.
I've never been to Louisiana, but I felt I could bathe up to my chin in the lushly sensual atmosphere created here.
I have, though, experienced something of the colourful/dysfunctional personalities of some of the main characters, and there are many strong resonant chords to be felt. As others too have said, there are good lessons, delightfully conveyed, to be learned here - about shared lives, parenthood, childhood (the good, and the less so), friendships, understanding, betrayal, and most of all, that sometimes most testing act of grace - forgiveness.
I laughed out loud, I quietly wept, I got completely drawn in. Thank you Rebecca Wells. Go read it - the characters just sashay off the pages straight into your heart - I loved it!
Having just viewed the movie, it's prompted memories of reading the book about a year ago. Both experiences were thoroughly enjoyable - in a vividly coloured, brightly populated, emotionally roller-coasting kind of way.
I've never been to Louisiana, but I felt I could bathe up to my chin in the lushly sensual atmosphere created here.
I have, though, experienced something of the colourful/dysfunctional personalities of some of the main characters, and there are many strong resonant chords to be felt. As others too have said, there are good lessons, delightfully conveyed, to be learned here - about shared lives, parenthood, childhood (the good, and the less so), friendships, understanding, betrayal, and most of all, that sometimes most testing act of grace - forgiveness.
I laughed out loud, I quietly wept, I got completely drawn in. Thank you Rebecca Wells. Go read it - the characters just sashay off the pages straight into your heart - I loved it!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I defy anyone to read this book and not call someone 'Dahlin' before they finish! Or at the very least begin to read in a Southern drawl! This book made me laugh out loud and cry at times - and it even made me examine my own treatment of people - mainly other females in my life. A fantastic gift for a well-loved friend/sister/mother.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I had realised this book was a self help guide I probably wouldn't have read it. It is cleverly disguised in a rich, sensual and beatiful story of sisterhood and relationships between mothers, daughters and friends that makes you ache to be a part of it. As someone who has spent a large part of my teenage and adult life blaming my "Vivified" mother for being somewhat emotionally retarded, each time this book moved me to tears and nearer to understanding and forgiveness was like a punch to the chest. The bursts of crying and laughter you will experience are inevitable and it really is one that you will press on every female you love.
love to Ya-Ya's everywhere x
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Unconvinced
Hmm. I recall not enjoying the film much, but it was some years since I saw it, and on the whole books are usually better than their film adaptations. Read more
Published 3 months ago by No-one of Consequence
Really didn't like the Ya-Yas
they were self indulgent and the writer wrote about them as if they were something special and 'out there'... rather than the ignorant silly group they were. Read more
Published 8 months ago by G Star
YA-YA
I bought this book as a christmas present for my Mum because we both love the film adaptation and decided to sample it - being a good daughter, i couldn't put it down. Read more
Published 19 months ago by BrownEyedGirl21
Simply divine
Wow.
I don't usually start my reviews with a simple 'wow' but in this case, this is a book I feel genuinely warrants it. Read more
I don't usually start my reviews with a simple 'wow' but in this case, this is a book I feel genuinely warrants it. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Nicola F (Nic)
Ya-Ya!
One of my favorite books to date. So much so that when a friend borrowed my copy and didn't give it back, and I can't remember which friend either, I went online and bought myself... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by AngelJ5
Divinely southern, dahlin'
This tale of Louisiana women and the ups and downs of privileged plantation life from the 1930s to the 1990s is both uplifting and exasperating. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by J. Scott-mandeville
The Devine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
This is the first really good book I have read where I have ever thought the film is still better.
Great book, brilliant film
Great book, brilliant film
Published on 21 May 2009 by Ms. K. H. Willing
Wonderful!
I hated the film version of this but absolutely loved the novel - luckily I read the book first, which is what I advise you you do and if you have already seen the film - don't... Read more
Published on 13 July 2007 by LittleReader
For Women Friends Everywhere
I recommended this book to our book club and, for once, everyone was in agreement - WE LOVED IT! On the surface this is a mother/daughter saga but in reality it's about a circle of... Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2006 by Grand Prix
A real stunner
What a fantastic read. I defy anyone to read it without crying. Definitely a book that every woman should read; and miles more poignant and satisfying than BJD.
Published on 30 Oct 2003 by Sezza
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