Pamela Paterson's Reviews > Little Altars Everywhere

When you read blurbs from reviewers of this book ‘hilarious’ is mentioned on numerous occasions. I consider myself to have an excellent sense of humor but I have to think that if someone thinks this book is funny then they need their head examined. Broken into two parts the first told from various POVs from the Walker family during the 60s the mother, father and 4 kids. When the story is told from the kids POV their tales are very matter of fact. Little glimpses of what would be idyllic summers in their childhood but within the glimpses the children are witness to some completely messed up behavior to the point that you are witnessing the makings of PTSD. The house they live in is like a land mine field with a mother that is a narcissist of the worst kind and it is no wonder some of the questionable behavior exhibited by the kids is a reflection of their parents. I don’t know if the author is purposely using the fact that the family are Catholic to add another level of crazy to an already mental case of a woman, she could have used any religion it wouldn’t have changed the fact that the mother is one step from the psych ward. The sad, sad thing about these kids is that they all seem to be incredibly bright and what has to be mentioned is that despite the chaos of home they all seem to have successful careers.

Just when you wonder where this book is going exactly we jump into part two which takes place in the 90s and its still going no-where we learn a little of just how messed up emotionally these kids have become and that belting them wasn’t the only physical abuse that they were exposed to. POVs remain the same with the addition of their maid and farmhand that just tell the story from the outsiders viewing. Abused kids, absentee drunken father and drunken narcissistic mother that considers nothing to be her fault and that everyone is out to get her. The book could have gone on in the same formula for another 100 pages but thankfully we weren’t subjected to it. As for the YAYAs if I read their ‘Divine Secrets’ in this lifetime it’ll be too soon.