Prologue and Chapter 1 Summary

Little Altars Everywhere is a retrospective look at the lives of the four Walker children in Louisiana in the 1960s. Their mother, Vivi Walker, is fun, zany, hilarious, intelligent, and a raving alcoholic who physically and sexually abuses her children. Father Shepley Walker is completely unable to protect his children. Scarred by child abuse in his own life, Shep Walker retreats to his duck camp whenever the family conflict grows too strong. Despite this upbringing, the Walker children manage to cope with their problems in various ways and develop into sane, productive adults.

In the Prologue, Ooh! My Soul (Siddalee, 1991) Siddalee walker dreams she is five years old again, back in Louisiana at Spring Creek, the family's vacation home. Her mother's girlfriends, the Ya-Yas, are there. Mama puts a Little Richard record on and insists that Siddalee dance with...