Title: The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder
Author: Rebecca Wells
First published January 1, 2009
395 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780060175313 (ISBN10: 0060175311)
Rating: 3.71
Overview
Rebecca Wells, the New York Times bestselling author, has done it again with her latest book, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder. This stand-alone novel is full of Southern charm and unforgettable characters that will capture your heart.
Wells takes you on a journey through the power of first love, the comfort of home, and the magic that surrounds us every day. Whether you are a fan of the Ya-Yas or new to the world of Rebecca Wells, Calla Lily Ponder is a must-read that you won’t be able to put down.
The Houston Chronicle raves that it’s impossible to put down while the New Orleans Times-Picayune promises that Wells weaves her magic spell once again. Get lost in the pages of The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder and fall in love with this enchanting tale.
About the Author
Rebecca Wells grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, surrounded by a family of storytellers and the local parish of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Her childhood was filled with colorful characters and experiences that sparked her imagination.
From an early age, she loved creating and performing in plays for her siblings, which set her on a path towards a career in acting and writing for the stage.
The land around her, including harvest times and craw-fishing in the bayou, as well as practicing piano and dancing with her family, influenced her deeply. She also had a close relationship with her black “mother” who worked for the Wells family.
Black music and culture from Louisiana are among the things that have stayed with her throughout her life.
In high school, Rebecca read Walt Whitman’s “I Sing the Body Electric,” which taught her that everything in life is a poem, and that we are all connected. She also read “Howl” by Allen Ginsberg, which exposed her to the consumer-driven American culture of the time.
Acting in school and summer youth theater productions allowed her to escape the social hierarchies of high school and lose herself in different characters and worlds.
After graduation, Rebecca worked as a waitress in Yellowstone National Park, where she was introduced to the natural wonders of the area and the art of hitchhiking.
Rebecca attended Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, where she studied theater, English, and psychology. While performing in college plays, she became interested in women’s politics and worked as a cocktail waitress on the side.
She also began keeping a journal after being inspired by Anais Nin, which has become a lifelong habit.
Editoral Review
Rebecca Wells’ The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is a beautiful and captivating novel that explores the intricacies of family and belonging in the American South. Published in 2009, the novel is a work of literary fiction that delves deep into the themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for identity.
Wells, who is best known for her bestselling novel, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, brings her gifted storytelling abilities to this latest work with great success. The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder tells the story of a young girl, Calla Lily Ponder, who grows up in the small town of La Luna, Louisiana.
Raised by her mother’s best friend, Miz Hattie, after her own mother died in childbirth, Calla Lily has always been aware of her unique place in the world. As she grows older, she finds herself torn between tradition and a desire for something more, struggling to find her own path even as she navigates the complicated dynamics of family and community.
Wells weaves a rich and complex narrative that brings to life the world of small-town Louisiana in exquisite detail. From the food, music, and language to the social customs and beliefs, Wells captures the essence of this vibrant and storied place, imbuing her characters with a sense of history and depth that makes them all the more real and compelling.
At its core, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is a novel about the search for a sense of belonging, both to oneself and to others. In Calla Lily, Wells has created a character with whom readers can easily identify: a young woman struggling to find her place in the world, to understand her own desires and ambitions, and to reconcile herself to the expectations of those around her.
Through her journey, we see the importance of family, tradition, and shared experience, as well as the potential for growth and change that comes with facing our fears and embracing the unknown. Wells’ writing is beautiful and lyrical, filled with evocative descriptions and moving insights.
She deftly balances humor and tragedy, sadness and joy, showcasing the full range of human emotion and experience. While the novel is not without its flaws – at times the pacing can feel uneven, and some of the plot points are predictable – overall, it is a rich and rewarding read that will engage and inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds.
In the end, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is a novel that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. Through its beautiful prose, complex characters, and themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for identity, it offers a powerful and moving meditation on the forces that shape our lives and the importance of embracing them with grace, courage, and an open heart.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a beautifully crafted novel that explores the complexity of family relationships, personal growth, and the search for meaning in life.
