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The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Book Review |
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Book Reviews -
Women's Fiction
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Written by DivaTribe Member Lara
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 The Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood, by Rebecca Wells
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a dramatic book full of egos and a group of girls who are trying to break out of the binds of 1950's white, southern America. However, as delinquent as they can be, they are still sucked into the world of what's right and what's wrong, what's acceptable in the bayou - learning that there are distinct lines between social classes.
Vivi Walker, one of the main characters of this novel along with her daughter, has created a self drama in which she stars as the most loveable, dynamic heroine. At times I wondered why her girl-group (The Ya-Ya's) didn't turn around and drag her back to reality.
Sidda, Vivi's first born, is a play write and tries to cure her own life issues by delving into the life of her mother, whom she treats as the sole reason for her leaving, for all her hang-ups and for her inability to commit to the man she wants to marry.
She is also in the midst of directing a new play, and she needs her mother's and the Ya-Ya's permission to research their lives and their unique pact of sisterhood. Vivi relents and sends her daughter the Ya-Ya'rebilia, a book entitled 'The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood'. It's basically a scrap book of their lives growing up 'Ya-Ya'.
There are many different plots in this book, many different areas to delve into. Vivi's life is a hard one for her. She grew up without the love of her mother, and a father who beat her, and she still managed to maintain a golden life of popularity. As dynamic as these women are, especially Vivi, they are still quite content to grow up as southern belles, marry and have lots of children. All 4 of the Ya-Ya's never give up their spirit or their 'spirits' and it's mentioned from time to time that they are all, if not just Vivi, alcoholics. In many ways it's a very touching novel exploring the lives of female-friendship and their 'divine' loyalty to each other.
Rebecca Wells is a wonderful writer and this novel is well written down to the last little Ya-Ya. She is able to touch on many different emotions and issues and still tie the reader back to the main plot (as obscure as it may be) to bring mother and daughter back together, expunge old nightmares and show that friendship conquers all and nothing can divide it.
All in all it makes you wish for a 'Ya-Ya Sisterhood' in your own life.
This review is available for reprint.
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