Rating: 
Summary: This is a book you'll want to read non-stop!
Review: "Little Alters Everywhere: A Novel" by Rebecca Wells is a great summer read. Wells does have a gift for many voices. I can understand why "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel" was a #1 New York Times Bestseller over "Little Alters Everywhere", and why "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel" was turned into a movie; it had a better plot and was more intriguing. Not the "Little Alters Everywhere: A Novel" didn't, but it left a lot of questions unanswered. And, in this novel, you don't get a great sense of Vivi. You know she is mentally unstable, but I think in Wells' follow up novel, it goes in much great and more interesting detail. I, personally think "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: A Novel" should be read before "Little Alters Everywhere: A Novel." I recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT a humorous novel
Review: After watching the movie and reading "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," I felt sympathy and compassion for Viviane, whose upbringing left a lot to be desired. However, after reading this book, all that compassion has evaporated. Viviane is a horrible, small-souled women who beats and humiliates her children at every turn. There are a few loving memories included in this book, but they are by far overshadowed by the verbal, physical, and sexual abuse detailed in this novel. Rebecca Wells is a truly talented writer, who brings her characters to life. Her gift is such that I read this entire book, despite my feelings of loathing and disgust toward Viviane. I would have been better prepared for this novel if it was portrayed as less of a "feel good, humorous" book, and more of a "dark, emotional, and deeply felt" book.
Rating: 
Summary: Better written than the sequel
Review: I was ambivalent about "Divine Secrets," and am likewise confused in my feelings about this book. Ms. Wells is a very good writer who knows these characters well and clearly cares about them. Each of our narrators has a distinct voice and point of view and was very believable. Siddalee, especially, is an admirable, three-dimensional young woman who comes alive here. And yet (here comes the ambivalence) I am appalled that just about everyone is so enchanted by Vivi, dahling!, that they forgive her just about everything. And worse, I get the impression that the author feels the reader is supposed to feel this way, as well. Vivi is a narcissist who abuses those who love her most. The fact that she speaks colorfully and has kept her complexion despite 40 years of smoking, drinking and drugging does not make her any more lovable. Her own painful childhood is an explanation, not an excuse. I would have enjoyed this story more if the characters were less in love with Vivi and more involved with the lives of her poor children. I felt the most admirable characters, beyond Sida, were the couple who lived at Pecan Grove and worked for the Walkers for decades. The brief glimpse into the lives of these two was fascinating and left me wanting more. I hope someday Ms. Wells gives them their own story someday.
Rating: 
Summary: Best book of the series
Review: I saw the movie and read both books. Here's my opinion: this book was the best out of the two. I felt it really gave the most detail for all of the characters of the Walker family. Maybe not so much for the Ya-Ya's, but I felt the other book didn't do much for them either. I really enjoyed this book. And I'm not just jumping on the band wagon, really!
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Summary: Learning to Cope with Life's Obtacles
Review: The award-winning author, Rebecca Wells, introduces audiences to the extraordinary Walker family in the speculator novel, Little Altars Everywhere. The success of the novel inspired the Louisiana native to write a sequel, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, which hit the big screen in the spring of 2002 and instantly become a blockbuster hit. Audiences are intrigued with the remarkable lives of the Walker family as they cope with life in the beautiful Southern town of Thorton, Louisiana. The novel captives the difficulties and life obstacles each member endures and struggles to surpass. The Walker family consists of Big Shep and Vivi, the parental units and their adorable children: Siddalee, Little Shep, Baylor and Lulu. The novel grasps the innocence of the children as they suffer from emotional and physical abuse from their demented mother. The family strives to cope with religious, social, moral and ethnical issues. Rebecca Wells adds humor and wit to the novel by incorporating Vivi's spontaneous and outrageous childhood friends, the Ya-Yas. The novel's dramatic and emotional situations entice audiences around the world. Little Altars Everywhere is perfect for those seeking a story filled with love, abuse, passion and witty humor. The novel permits audiences to view the perspectives and actions of the Walker family in the 1960's and in the early 1990's. Rebecca Wells vivid descriptions capture the natural beauty of the land allowing audiences to personally connect with the environment and scenery. Rebecca Wells incorporation of controversial issues and criticism towards double standards and Catholicism fascinates readers. Little Altars Everywhere, inspires people to learn to cope with life's obstacles and gives readers the hope that in the end all will be well.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Divine Secrets, and a little depressing...
Review: I read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood first, and if you are considering reading this series of books by Rebecca Wells, I suggest the same. Although Little Altars Everywhere was written first, it is far less interesting a book, and on its own is very depressing. Having read Divine Secrets first, I feel I understood the stories told in Little Altars better, and I was able to remove some of the gloom from the book knowing how things turn out in Divine Secrets. Had I read Little Altars first, I would never have ventured to read Divine Secrets. Overall, a decent book, but one that I would not recommend unless your curious after reading Divine Secrets.
Rating:
Summary: Really, really good!!...
Review: I loved reading "Little Altars Everywhere". I did enjoy it better than "Divine Secrets", but I liked that too. Some people can't handle a sad book, if so don't read this. But, my gosh, that's life, and its not really sad, I prefer to call it "bittersweet". Anyhow, I couldn't put this down. I found each chapter enthralling, and its so believable, you start to think it was the authors life. I think everyone should read--I enjoyed it immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Little Altars Divine
Review: Rebecca Wells wrote "Little Altars" in 1992, well before Divine Secrets was written. It's a shame the latter received more attention than the former. We see the good and the bad that make up the Walker family. The nay sayers that believe Vivi Walker's "appeal" is ruined are missing an amazingly written book that shows rich characters beyond the trivialness of the Divine Secrets, which chose to celebrate an alcoholic, child abuser and her equally culpable friends.
Rating:
Summary: Great characters
Review: I must say, the fictional people in this novel are ALIVE! I loved every last bit of LITTLE ALTARS EVERYWHERE. It's not a typical story that moves along in a linear, chronological fashion. Instead the book paints individual portraits that make up a bigger picture of a story when you put them all together. Despite the serious nature of the content, this is a fun, delicious read... the kind where the well-selected words are just so savoury it's easy to finish in one sitting. It's that delightful.
Rating:
Summary: The use of character in Little Altars Everywhere
Review: Little Altars Everywhere is a brilliant telling of the Walker family and all of their trial and tribulations. She brings to life all the pain and happiness experienced by the family in their day-to-day life. Wells' use of character is beyond outstanding. She makes one embrace each character to the extent of not wanting to put the novel down. When reading this novel one becomes a part of their family and can relate to many of their situations. Also, one experiences a certain amount of shock due to some of the outrageous behavior of the characters.
The character Siddalee goes through a lot of pain when she deals with her mother, Viviane. Sidda is a vivacious little girl who never stops talking and is always on some adventure. Her character is a loveable, high-spirited young lady who deep down really loved her mother. Her mother is an abusive alcoholic who is so obnoxious that the story was actually strengthened by her malice. She was so strung out that she even beat her little naked children with a belt. It is hard to believe that this self-centered woman gave life to such a positive and vibrant person.
Wells' gets the reader so wrapped up in the lives of the Walker family, one actually feels a part of it. Sidda is one of the easier characters to connect with because of her natural joy for life. Wiletta is also easy to associate with because of her mother like qualities and virtuous nature. This sometimes funny and sometimes sad novel will leave anyone wanting more.
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