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)

Loved this book!!!

What did you love best about Velva Jean Learns to Drive?

I love any book that Jenna Lamia narrates. She was perfect for this book. It makes walking my dog so much more fun!!!

Velma Jean Learns to Drive!

This was what I'd consider an endearing book. it swept me away into Velma Jean's world and at times I saw glimpses of my mothers time as a child. Times were hard but Velma wasn't going to stand by and watch the world go by! Go, Velma Jean!

Could have been cut in half

Really liked the performance. The story would have been fine if it had not been drug out so long.

Home in my Heart

There are stories that stay with you all your life. There are books that you can never be parted from. This book IS just that. Jennifer Niven's story given to us with the beautiful storytelling talents of Jenna Lamia hold us captive from the very first word. This book is wonderfully written and beautifully told. It will stay with you long after the last chapter has been read. It will leave you longing to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and explore the North Carolina mountains yourself. I love being a North Carolinian and this book made me feel home in my heart.

Another good one....

This was such a cute story.....very well narrated/performed. I was looking for a story that would take me away from it all....something that would hopefully be a good mix of many things and this story did it. I really enjoyed the plot...and all of the characters. Ive listened to Jenna Lamia before and she is very good...and pulls you into the book every time. If you are looking for a book that will represent innocence, love, laughter, family complexities,this is the book.

Like living through this personal history

I absolutely loved this book, from start to finish. I thought it was so well written, right from the start, that it kept my attention every minute. I have lived in rural areas for so long I could have known these families, understood their loyalties and values and respected their sense of honor in life. There is a tough pride that has come from doing things that had to be done, without complaining, with a simple acceptance of life and death that is a rare thing in our modern society. I found myself cheering Velva Jean on, wishing for her dreams to come true.

Kinda reminds me of "Fried Green Tomatoes 🍅

This is a Great read! Loved narration! One of my favorites in a long time.

Great Listen

Loved it! The narrator's beautiful accent and excellent storytelling voice brought me right in to Velva Jean's world!

Not Quite What I Expected...

Would you consider the audio edition of Velva Jean Learns to Drive to be better than the print version?

It's probably one of those 6 in one hand, half dozen in the other hand type of decisions. The story remains the same either way.

What did you like best about this story?

The humor throughout the story was the best feature.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were a few "laugh out loud" moments.

Any additional comments?

I found the story a bit drug out. The basic premise, the storyline so to speak, was good. However it did feel to me that filler was added to increase the page count.

Southern Mt delight

Found a new favorite aurthor. Well written, can just visualize the story. Starts out with a 10 year old Appalachian mountain girl who grows into a woman who as she matures forgets and then remembers what her dream are.