LitPick Review
Third in a trio of "Divine Sisterhood" novels, Rebecca Wells' new book "Ya-Yas In Bloom" gives a deeper and sweeter background to the quirky and beloved characters from her earlier bestsellers. But instead of producing a rehash of the same old thing, Wells creates a shimmering, multifaceted look at the Ya-Yas, the Petite Ya-Yas, and even into the third generation of these closer-than-close friends.
Opinion:
Beginning by planting the seeds of the Sisters' first meetings in the familiar 1930s old Louisiana South, Wells cultivates a gardening metaphor as she takes readers into the idylls of Sidda's childhood Beatlemania of the 1960s, and finally blooming into the trials faced by the growing families in the mid-1990s. Through a series of seemingly- disconnected stories, readers realize the humanity and deep feeling that runs through the veins of all those touched by the Sisterhood.
Wells also branches out from this core group by sharing the points of view of the prudish Myrtis Spevey and her mentally-confused daughter Edythe, giving a fresh angle to the story as these outsiders attempt to intrude on the deep bonds of Sisterhood. But more successful are the stories told from Baylor Walker's perspective - from a small boy visiting the set of his favorite television series, to a grown and successful man caring for his family in times of trouble, he remains a solid and deeply humanistic character. As Wells explores different storytelling modes, she brings new colors and aromas to her literary garden.
"Ya-Yas in Bloom" is a heartwarming, nostalgic foray into the kinds of friendships that transcend whatever time, hardship, and change may bring - an entrenching and genuinely satisfying read even for newcomers to the series.
