Evan Sarah Epstein

If the characters from Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood had cousins in Tennessee, the Hamiltons would be it.  This book has a similar tone: a multi-generational tale of southern women from 1932 to 1972 – none of whom fit the mold of the perfect southern belle.

The story centers on Miss Gussie, her two daughters: dour Dorothy and sweet Clancy Jane and their daughters: Violet and Bitsy.  Each chapter develops the story further through the eyes of one of the characters.  While the book does have its fair share of tragedy: a man buried alive, crib death and rape, the majority of the story is fairly light and tends to highlight women who triumph over the problems and difficulties they encounter.

This book was a quick read, and while certainly not a masterpiece, it was a very fun way to spend a handful of evenings.  My only gripe about the book came at times where it became apparent that a man was trying to write from a woman’s perspective or, an adult trying to write from a child’s perspective.  Few things disrupt the illusion more for me than a child talking in an unbelievably adult tone.    All in all however, Crazy Ladies is a very enjoyable and easy read.

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