Raving Violet

By: Valerie Gilbert

Narrated by: Valerie Gilbert

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Dead mothers, missing husbands, disgusting dates, perverted "reverends" seductive gurus, infamous ingrates, and cheese thieves. These are just a few of the cast of characters that pepper Valerie Gilbert's true tales in Raving Violet.

Enter the world of a solitary but intrepid New Yorker. Orphaned as a young adult, this divorced, smartass metaphysician has sought solace and insight from philosophers, seances, channels and mediums: a path that has, inevitably, led her back to her formidable fortress within.

Join Valerie as she scales the castle walls on her journey for love, sex, sass, a chuckle, and really good chocolate. Love and Loss! Love and Glory! Love and Nausea! Raving Violet has it all.

©2013 Valerie Gilbert (P)2015 Valerie Gilbert

Raving Violet Rocks the World

Wow. Thank you all so much for opening and helping to heal my heart. Your stories voice and experiences shook the stone from in front of my heart. It's lovely to finally hear real news about my life. About what is real and what is fake. What I need to take care of as long as I am on this wheel of suffering as I like to say, EXCEPT when I hear stories that rock my world with light, laughter and fun. Thank you....
Valerie Gilbert...

I AM NEW TO MEMOIRS, AND I AM GLAD I TRIED THEM!

What made the experience of listening to Raving Violet the most enjoyable?

The narration and delivery was incredible!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Miss Sassy herself...and i totally went right t her blog for more!

What about Valerie Gilbert’s performance did you like?

She was good...laugh out loud funny!!!

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

I LAUGHED A LOT..., and I could totally feel how she felt in certain situations...

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I like a good spiritual perception, I feel there is not enough of that in today's society...and this definitely fit that for me...plus it was funny, touching and super interesting...I completely recommend! well worth my time and a credit!! LOVED IT!!!

Buy this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. First of all, it is narrated by the author… something I love (no narrator can inflect the thoughts and emotions quite like the person who wrote it). With that being said, the narration was flawless. Valerie is well spoken, clear and engaging throughout the whole performance.

With regards to the content of the book, I loved the stories. As they were real life stories, I found them captivating. Some were hilarious, some made you annoyed (because you will no doubt have had the same experience), but all of them were excellent!

Overall, this is a great book that you should definitely read. In the words of the author – “Don’t postpone joy.” Pick up this book!

Raving about a great audio

Love how Valerie Gilbert had the forsight to write this audio and narrator it. Valerie wrote about ideas that most of us are afraid to think out load . She wants us to stop and think about our every day life’s and think outside the box as they say . Don’t take everything at face value.

Pearls of wisdom with a punch and then some!

Where does Raving Violet rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I haven't listened to any of this caliber nor genre. My other listens were in the historical or contemporary romance genre.

What did you like best about this story?

Valerie is pure spunk and sarcasm when needed. Her sense of humor lightens the listen. It really was quite enjoyable.

Have you listened to any of Valerie Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't. This is the first, but not the last.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Since these were a collection of thoughts written as essays and spoken as if across the table or sitting in a couple of cozy chairs, I wouldn't want to listen to it all at once. In fact, it was one that I wanted to relisten to be able to absorb the collection of great positive energy.

Any additional comments?

What a listen! This hell-of-a-woman entertains with her autobiographic thoughts, full of comedic sass, vulgarity and make-sense reverence of who we are and how we can be better AND enjoy living.

Quotes from her essays:

” Don’t postpone joy.”
“Edit your life.”
“Be yourself. We are not our resumes.”
“Confusion is a terrific state of mind to be in.”
“Don’t buy fear, drink water of life, not death.”

My Thoughts: This book was so powerful, that I immediately turned around and started listening to it again. There are so many gems of wisdom that strike a resounding chord within me. I came away with many uplifting and potent thoughts and ideas that it necessitated a second listen.

The author says not to buy fear, but drink the water of life, not death. Just that thought alone makes us realize that so much of our lives are directed by fear.

This woman has grabbed the world, shaken it and never said no, continually searching for her path. I’m now following her blog, eager to hear what other gems of wisdom she spews. Her words and voice are unique. She’s full of sarcasm and symbolism which requires me some deep pondering.

In some of her essays she rants most vehemently, poking a finger where poking is well deserved. Her narrator, with its ever-present sincerity or sarcasm, kept me listening, highly entertained, following her train of thought most tenaciously. I actually snorted several times during the listen. The woman has guts with unbelievable experiences in her continual search of truth.

I have never listened to a book with the writer and narrator one and the same. I was surprised at the excellent quality of the narration, her capability in not only expressing her feelings in words, but narrating them in such an appealing manner.

Her essays touch upon many issues and many had me smirking with a nod of agreement or laughing out loud with her outlandish remarks. I’m most pleased that I won this book as a giveaway on a blog.

A great memoir

Loved this memoir.

Having the story narrated by the author added another level of connection to the listener. The use of emphasis and voices, made it even more real. I love how honest and raw this book is. I had no idea what it was about going in, but the reviews and the sample intrigued enough. What an great surprise. I can relate to so many things in this story. It was like talking to an old friend, I hadn't seen in a long time.

great collection of short stories

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What about Valerie Gilbert’s performance did you like?

I love she was able to narrate her own story, it gives the reader a chance to know the author a little bit better

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reminder to accept yourself

Any additional comments?

This is a great collection of shorts. They cover different topics, but all have a great point. Accept yourself, you don't need designer items or to have kids when your a kid. Some of these stories made me laugh until I cried. The quotes were perfectly fit into the story. Great quick read.

Close to perfection !

I haven't read any book from the author before ! I completed this book in just a day .The short stories were great . It;s humorous as well as inspirational ! Some people would think that ts an standard autobiography but it isn't . This book touches all parts of a person's life ! And hats off to the narration by the author ! It was great . I never expected it to be that great when i started . I would recommend this one to all !! Its a must read

A Journey of One Woman's Growth in Life and Spirit

**Disclaimer: I was given this audiobook in return for an honest review**

First let me state that I do not usually listen or read Non-fiction, Memoirs, etc... So this was a different kind of book for me to listen. At the start, I had a hard time getting into the rhythm of Valerie's story telling style. She even notes in the introduction of how the first set of Blog writings were more rants. As the book moves along to her later writings, Valerie finds her flow and her style blossoms. I found I grew to really enjoy her reading style and story telling.

Earlier chapters provide some thought provoking quips about politics, religion, and people. The later chapters hone down the focus to Valerie's development personally, emotionally, and with greater focus spiritually.

I enjoyed her stories and hearing her opinions on the different spiritual practices. Valerie has led an interesting life. After I was done the audiobook, I restarted it to listen again to the earlier chapters and appreciated them more the 2nd time.

Stunning

When I started to divulge into this book I thought it was just going to be a series of rants, and in some cases it was. However, more than anything it is a snapshot of a real woman's life as she grows and navigates through herself in the world. It's funny, it's humble, it's humiliatingly honest, and it was a joy.