The book is compiles as if each character is contributing a chapter of their memories from childhood. Some characters, like Siddah, have more than one chapter. This gave me such mixed feelings to read. It is so sad, yet hopeful. The voices of the different characters ring true for them; it is easy to feel that this all happened. This book is not enjoyable; in fact, I almost quit reading it was so painful. I am glad I persevered to the end because it does in fact show a measure of healing for those involved, and if not healing, perhaps understanding. ( )

En una serie de viñetas y anécdotas de trazos tan vigorosos como desternillantes, Rebecca Wells retrata con desparpajo y ternura los estrambóticos avatares de una familia y una comunidad de la Luisiana rural. Una galería de personajes regulares (al perfume de magnolia o sazonados con tabasco) cuyos inevitables trapos sucios familiares van desvelando esa tragicómica capacidad humana de perdonar y curarse a través del amor. Pequeña joya literaria donde las haya, Pequeños altares trasmite las emociones y los sentimientos (un microcosmos tan grotesco como cualquiera) y convirtiendo el humor en un afilado bisturí para diseccionar la siempre contradictoria naturaleza humana.

Little Altars Everywhere is a classic narrative of a simple country life set in Thornton, Louisiana with alternating narration from the characters. The novel is also divided into two parts wherein time becomes a very important aspect that Rebecca Wells focuses mainly on.

I have to say this first and foremost, Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood, (DSOTYS) the novel after Little Altars Everywhere, is my favorite novel of all-time. I don’t really know how to explain it, but that novel just got me every time I read it. I read it when I was a senior in high school and reread it for like three times after that. DSOTYS is a gem, I can attest that to everyone. So when I finally get my copy of this novel, I was beyond excited because I know in my heart of hearts that I will feel yet again the great effect brought to me by the DSOTYS before. I’m very glad that Rebecca Wells and Little Altars Everywhere did not fail me. Enough of Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood now, let me focus on this piece of gem more on in this review.

Since Little Altars Everywhere is Rebecca Wells’ debut novel, I’m glad that I read DSOTYS first (her second) because it helps me to become more familiar with the characters (in fact I fall in love with them already, remember DSOTYS is my favorite novel!). I truly commend and appreciate Wells’ way of creating her characters because it is very authentic. Leaving all the biases behind, all of the characters are one for the books. If only I can meet every single one of them in person, I would trade anything for it. They make me feel like we are just countries apart from each other. Also, the plot is no ordinary one, just like its characters. This makes me love the story even more because it is different but at the same time no different. (I hope you are getting into my point here! ;)) I love the aspect of Little Altars Everywhere wherein the narration varies every entry. That way every character is given the chance to show off their emotions and at the same time gives the readers the opportunity to see their perspectives. Unlike in DSOTYS, I kind of favor LAE’s POV because it gives me more insight of every character’s decision throughout the story. Every entry in this novel is exceptional since it is hard to foretell what’s going to happen at the end of it. I never guess a single entry’s ending right. With that being said, comes my realization that Rebecca Wells is a master creator herself.

This novel is undeniably full of emotions- one time I am laughing with the narrative, and then without further notice I am crying and contemplating about the scene. That is how great the story is. It really appeals to the readers’ emotions. This has been an amazing start of the year of reading for me. My whole reading process of this novel has been fresh, smooth, and very wonderful that I could not ask for more. I only hope that more readers got to read this fantastic story because it is really worth a read. Ciao! ( )

Ok. Not as good as the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. ( )

I've just finished Little Altars Everywhere and it wasn't at all the book I thought it was. I picked it up thinking it was a pink and fluffy book - probably because my impressions of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood are of a light film with Sandra Bullock dancing around a room. Knowing this was a prequel to "Divine Secrets I assumed, when I picked it up it was a light-hearted read as well.

It's not at all an easy read. This book is essentially about the lives of a family - mum and dad, Vivianne and "Big Shep" Walker", and their four children, Siddalee, Little Shep, Lulu and Baylor - living in the deep south in the USA. The parents are both alcoholics and mistreat the children in a terrible manner. The parents' misbehaviour has a huge impact on all four children, driving them to obsessive behaviour to cope with their treatment.

The first half of the book is quite light-hearted and the reader is lulled into thinking the behaviour of the parents is explainable. However the second half of the book is much darker and more disturbing, and much more upsetting. It touches on sexual abuse, alcoholism, obsessive compulsive disorder, religious obsession and more.

The book is written from all six Walker family members' perspectives, plus those of their "hired help", Chaney and Willetta, who live a short distance away. Wells as an author is very skilled at lending very distinct voices to each of the different narrators which really helps this book flow. ( )