The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder- Rebecca WellsThe Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is the sweet, sexy, funny journey of Calla Lily's life set in Wells's expanding fictional Louisiana landscape. In the small river town of La Luna, Calla bursts into being, a force of nature as luminous as the flower she is named for. Under the loving light of the Moon Lady, the feminine force that will guide and protect her throughout her life, Calla enjoys a blissful childhood—until it is cut short. Her mother, M'Dear, a woman of rapture and love, teaches Calla compassion, and passes on to her the art of healing through the humble womanly art of "fixing hair." At her mother's side, Calla further learns that this same touch of hands on the human body can quiet her own soul. It is also on the banks of the La Luna River that Calla encounters sweet, succulent first love, with a boy named Tuck.
But when Tuck leaves Calla with a broken heart, she transforms hurt into inspiration and heads for the wild and colorful city of New Orleans to study at L'AcadÉmie de BeautÉ de Crescent. In that extravagant big river city, she finds her destiny—and comes to understand fully the power of her "healing hands" to change lives and soothe pain, including her own. When Tuck reappears years later, he presents her with an offer that is colored by the memories of lost love. But who knows how Cally Lily, a "daughter of the Moon Lady," will respond?
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is about a girl, Calla, growing up in Louisiana. It's a story of love, family, and friendship.
It was hard to like this book for two main reasons. One, I didn't like Calla, Maybe I was comparing her to Vivi or something, but Vivi was a much better character. Where was the vivaciousness of the Ya-Ya's. Everybody loved Calla in La Luna, she could do no wrong.
Two, I had to control my eye Rolls while reading about the moon lady, and all that sappy drivel. I almost couldn't finish it.
" When the sky and everything around looks dark, and you feel lost and alone, the Moon Lady is still there, watching over you, whispering: 'What do you need from me now, little darling, what do you need from me now?'"
(insert eye roll)
There were some memorable moments in the story like when the little black boy goes skating at the skating rink. It had glimpses of good, but not to many. If you like books about the South, and sappy writing I would definitely recommend you give this a try. It's just not my cup of tea.
Final word, I'm glad I checked this our from the library. I loved the Ya-Ya's so I fully expected to love this book as well. Oh well!
PRODUCT DETAILS
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Harper (July 7, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060175311
Rating: 2/5
I too loved Ya Ya Sisterhood, and was looking forward to reading Calla Lily Ponder. I still may read it, but it won't be at the top of my To-Read pile. Thank you for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time with YA YA and still thought about reading this. . thanks for reviewing. And, I both followed and subscribed to the blog for a chance on Prarie Tale.
ReplyDeletecharmon**at**salsgiver.com