Velva Jean Learns to Drive

A Novel

By: Jennifer Niven

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in Appalachia in the years before World War II, Velva Jean Learns to Drive is a poignant story of a spirited young girl growing up in the gold-mining and moonshining South. Before she dies, Velva Jean's mother urges her to "live out there in the great wide world".

Velva Jean dreams of becoming a big-time singer in Nashville until she falls in love with Harley Bright, a handsome juvenile delinquent turned revival preacher. As their tumultuous love story unfolds, Velva Jean must choose between keeping her hard-won home and pursuing her dream of singing in the Grand Ole Opry.

©2009 Jenniver Niven (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

"It's a touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery O'Connor and maybe a shot of Hank Williams." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful Story - really enjoyed!

This is a lovely story and I really enjoyed listening to it. Jenna Lamia is one of my favorite narrators and, of course, she did a fantastic job with this book. It is the story of a woman coming of age during times of change. The story is pleasant - very little in the way of violence - which is a refreshing break. Walking through Velva Jean's life with her, in a tiny town off the Blue Ridge Parkway during the Depression was fascinating!

Very enjoyable

This book was a great listen, which I highly recommend. I was always eager to get back to it. The story is engaging and at times moving. The narration also was high-quality.

Sweet story, Interesting characters.

What about Jenna Lamia’s performance did you like?

She does a great job!! Usually when a narrator speaks in a voice of opposite gender, it is uncomfortable for me to hear. Not her though.

Great story!

Wonderful characters, great story. Did not want it to end. I want to know what velva Jean does next.

I was waving like the queen.....GREAT AUDIBLE!!!!

If Jenna Lamia narrates? I'll read it... This little lady is the most awesome narrator, I listened to her in the The Book of Polly and fell in love with her voice. I quickly started looking for more narrations and found this Niven/Lamia combination, I knew it would be a winner. I absolutely loved this book, it will go into my top 5 books of all time. Jennifer Niven should probably get some of the credit because she pegged this story. I laughed out loud so many times and for the first time ever, I shed a tear when it was over, I could her Velva Jean singing as she crossed the scenic highway in her yellow truck. I could have listened to more of Velva Jean for hours. I'lll be picking up more of Velva Jean, but I am leery since I know Jenna does not narrate those. Jennifer Niven has an art of describing a southern country story. So many cute wordsmiths she used, "I was waving like the queen" is my favorite. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Only Jenna Lamia....

This story didn't develop for me. I LOVE Jenna Lamia's narration or I might have left this one at midpoint. It is a story about a family in the Great Smokey Mountains before paved roads, etc. They were poor and clannish, very superstitious, and I did enjoy the lore that followed them. Otherwise, for me it was somewhat lacking in the story department. It is worth the credit to listen to Ms. Lamia.

Love it.

Loved it. Narration was perfect. I have played this book over and over again. Referring to all of my friends.

So many life lessons in one book

If you could sum up Velva Jean Learns to Drive in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, wise, uplifting

What other book might you compare Velva Jean Learns to Drive to and why?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn because it has the same perspective of a child to adult narrator who has the same scrappy attitude about overcoming obstacles.

Which character – as performed by Jenna Lamia – was your favorite?

Velva Jean

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Never lose sight of your dreams

Phenomenal!

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. The narrator really brought to life the wonderful writing. The story is eventful and touching. It hit close to home for me. My Granny grew up in the Appalachia mountains of West Virginia. She got married young and had babies young. She was such a spirited and lively person. It made me wish so much that I had asked what life was like for her back then.

Beautiful and

Sad and heartbreaking and uplifting. Didn’t think I’d care for it at first. So glad I stuck with it.