Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Summary

“Unforgettable … By turns comic and poignant, Wells’ latest entry fulfills the promise of her award-winning debut novel, Little Altars Everywhere. It speaks eloquently to what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a wife-and somehow, at last, a person.” -Charlotte Observer

In honor of its thirtieth anniversary, an anniversary edition of the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling novel about four Southern women that explores the enduring bonds of friendship, the often-rocky relationship between mothers and daughters, and the healing power of humor and love, read by the author.

In a New York Times interview with hit theatrical director Siddalee Walker—the oldest daughter of Vivi Abbott Walker, Ya-Ya extraordinaire—Vivi is described as a “tap-dancing child abuser.” Enraged, Vivi disowns her child. Devastated, Sidda begs for forgiveness, even postponing her upcoming wedding.

The heartbreaking divide looks unbreachable until Vivi’s dear circle of Ya-Yas convinces her to send Sidda a scrapbook of their girlhood memories called “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.”

As Sidda struggles to truly know her mother and the past, she comes face to face with the tangled beauty of imperfect love, and the fact that forgiveness, more than understanding, is often what the heart longs for.

In the decades since its publication, Rebecca Wells’ “wonderfully irreverent” (Booklist) excavation of small-town Louisiana life "full of love and heartbreak" (New Orleans Times-Picayune) won the devotion of legions of readers, inspired Ya-Ya clubs around the country, became a hit film, and continues to enchant new generations with its deep honesty and irresistible charm.