Heckman,+Meredith

==Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells ==



=​"__Little Altars Everywhere__ is a poignant, humorous, sad, heart-warming, heart-breaking novel that may very well, over time, be deemed an American classic, and a wonderful achievement by Rebecca Wells." - Stuart, //Curled Up With a Good Book// =

 Rebecca Wells

 * Born in Alexandria, Louisiana
 * Passion for acting, theater, and telling stories
 * Draws on experiences growing up in Louisiana
 * Has studied english, pyschology, Buddhism, and women's politics
 * Other works include __Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood__, __Ya-Ya's in Bloom__, and __The Crowing Glory of Calla Lilly Ponder__.
 * Published __Little Altars Everywhere__ in 1992.

**Destiny Review __Little Altars Everywhere__ by Rebecca Wells is the type of book that draws the reader not only into the story, but into the world of the characters. The book is charmingly chaotic, yet beautifully structured. One can easily identify with any of the wide range of characters, making this a realistic and relatable book. Though the story takes some sinister turns, the light-hearted tone of the book ultimately conveys a message of lasting love and humor. The bulk of the story is told through the eyes of Sidda Walker and her mother through different stages of their life, therefore I would recommend this book to women of all ages. __Little Altars Everywhere__ is a humorous yet heartbreaking book that explores what it means to be a daughter, a mother, a woman, and a family. **

Plot Summary
Set in the little town of Thorton, Louisiana and spanning the course of nearly 30 years from the 1960s-90s, __Little Altars Everywhere__ is a compelling and fascinating novel. As Bridget Kulakauskas of //Illiterarty.com// says, " Little Altars Everywhere is a collection of stories about the lives of the members of the Walker family, their loves, hates, complexities, and secrets. It exposes family life in all its terror and glory, from childhood to adulthood to old age." Immediately the reader is introduced to a spunky young Siddalee Walker, whom everyone calls Sidda. Through a seemingly random collection of memories, told by Sidda and her siblings, parents, and their hired help, one becomes totally immersed in the dynamics of the Walker family. From care-free summers at the lake and late-night boule parties to struggles to become perfect Catholic students and ultimately searching for their place in the world, the Walker family each takes a turn to reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings, especially in regards to their mother. Vivi Abott Walker is constantly at the center of the novel, mostly being under the speculation and wonder of her children. Vain, selfish, and wild, but full of endless laughter and desire, Vivi is the driving force in her family's life. Her abusive actions and nature take a huge toll on her children, but these events are masked by the times her persona creates bright days of excitement and sweet lasting memories. __Little Altars Everywhere__ pulls the reader into the world and the minds of the Walkers and paints a bittersweet picture of what it truly means to love and laugh as a family.

Analysis of Style
To tell the story of the children and show the everlasting impact of the family, Wells separates the book into two parts. The first part is very innocent and light-hearted and each character narrates their chapters with confidence and excitement. Though some negative events take place, the naivety of the young narrators masks the depth of their impending sorrow. In the second part, Wells reintroduces each character twenty years later, when the children are grown and their parents are old. Through bitter and sarcastic narratives, Wells reveals that each child has been wounded by the selfish whims and actions of their mother. As Dale A. Blanchard says, " Don't stop reading with this book, or you'll miss a view of the whole person -- doting mother, child abuser, unloved child, shattered schoolgirl, broken hearted, passionate lover, distant wife and mother as well as a view of Shep as a fallible human being and how he contributed to Vivi's 'condition' and the affect it had on their children."  Wells creates remarkable deep characters, and her portrait of Vivi is holds the key to understanding the book She also includes chapters told from the perspective of the black help, further exploring what shaped the lives of the children and the family. Wells’ use of many narrators pulls the reader into the story by presenting the perspective of each family member and showing the conflicting thoughts and feelings of each. This makes it easy for the reader to identify with the story and apply the themes to their own lives. The use of many chapters and different narrators, as well as varying tones to characterize each individual, makes this book come to life and leave a lasting impact.

Works Cited
Blanchard, Dale A. “Review of //Little Altars Everywhere .”// Rev. of //Little Altars Everywhere// by Rebecca Wells. //Paperbackswap.// 29 Mar. 2007. Web. <[]>.

Kulakauskas, Bridget. “Book Review: //Little Altars Everywhere// by Rebecca Wells.” Rev. of //Little Altars Everywhere// by Rebecca Wells. //Illiterarty.com.// 26 Nov. 2007. Web. <[|http://www.illiterarty.com/reviews/book-review-little-altars-everywhere-rebecca-well]s>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">Stuart, Mary B. “Little Altars Everywhere.” Rev. of <span style="font-family: Helvetica,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Little Altars Everywhere // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> by Rebecca Wells. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Curled Up With a Good Book // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">. 2003. Web. <[|http://www.curledup.com/littleal.htm__]>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Wells, Rebecca. //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Little Altars Everywhere. // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> New York: Harper Collins, 1992. Print.