The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

by: Rebecca Wells

Published by: Harper

Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart

Beloved author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Little Altars Everywhere, Rebecca Wells returns with her newest novel and introduces readers to a whole new set of characters that have almost as many secrets as the Ya-Ya’s.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lilly Ponder takes place in La Luna and New Orleans, Louisiana. Narrated by Calla Lily Ponder, Part I takes place in La Luna and is basically back story. It begins when Calla Lily is born on the banks of the La Luna River in 1953. Part I provides all the important events of Calla Lily’s life up to high school graduation and her first love. Her beloved M’Dear, her mother, and her father are the influences that keep Calla grounded. It’s here that we see the woman Call will grow into.

As I was reading Part I, I was rather discouraged. I thought Wells may have lost her touch. The story wasn’t as consuming as her first two novels, but not quite as bad as the final book in the Ya-Ya’s trilogy, Ya-Ya’s in Bloom, nor was the characters quite as fascinating.

Then Calla Lily’s does what her dying mother requested her to do: go after her dreams and her talents. Calla has the healing touch that goes beyond what a beautician can do for a person. Her hands have the power that many have. Calla doesn’t immediately head for New Orleans after high school. She must save some money and repair her broken heart. Her heart isn’t quite healed, but she heads off anyway.

In Part II, the writing and character development takes off, and I was as hooked as I had been with the Ya-Ya’s. Calla trains with a gay man who has the same powers she does. There are some surprises, some shocks, and some stereotypical plot lines that make Calla Lily Ponder and her journey from and return to La Luna an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author’s Web site: http://www.RebeccaWellsBooks.com