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!!!

I loved this book so much that when it ended, I was heartbroken. Then I realized there is a sequel! I can't wait to get started on it! Wonderful book and the narration by Jenna Lamia was perfect as always.

Enjoyed this book

Great story, great narration. I would highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading the next one

If Jenna Lamia reads it, I'll listen to it!

And once again, she doesn't disappoint. Of course, I have to give Jennifer Niven some credit since she wrote this wonderful story. The characters and the plot are so real. It could happen in your own back yard. Although I felt like it was a little slow at first, I quickly became hooked to the characters, especially Velva Jean herself. Highly recommend it!

"Old-timey" story with a Southern Accent - Great!

First off, I must agree with the other reviewers who rave about Jenna Lamia's narration - I could listen to her forever - she is downright melodic in her delivery. The author did a fabulous job of marrying the scenic, rugged background of the hill folk with the life story of the main character. This book is about a young girl growing up in the Appalachia in the 1930's-40's. She experiences hardship and joy - love and loss - despair and hope - all the things that make for a rich and meaningful story. I really enjoyed this selection and will recommend it to anyone longing for a journey back in time with the added bonus of it being "G-rated" for the most part and appropriate for younger listeners. My grandmother lived a similar life and this book made me feel closer to her, even though she has passed on. Folks were just tougher back in those old days - life was hard but the rewards were so much sweeter for it - makes you realize how much we take for granted in this day and age.

Amazing! Must read!

Jennifer Niven is an amazing storyteller! She paints a vivid picture with words and the perfect amount of details. The story of Velva Jean pulled me in almost immediately. This story is a great window into 1930’s Appalachia and one girls journey from a young child to young woman. I could never get enough and never wanted to stop listening. The narrator, Jenna Lamia, was AMAZING! She was the added bonus to a wonderful story. Her narration was full of life and emotion. Her narration and the authors story were a perfect combination. I can’t sing this books praises enough.

A very rare 5-star audible book

I don't give 5-star reviews often, and I rarely write reviews, but this book is worth it.

I love a book that grips me from the first sentence and addicts me to the final word. Velda Jean Learns to Drive totally delivers.

You can read Audible's synopsis of the story description.

I want to express my appreciation for an expertly told tale, which came to life with through the reading of Jenna Lamia. She is an actress extraordinaire. This story was compelling, funny, sad, full of action and drama and love and hate, told from the perspective a young girl coming of age. I learned so much about the history of the South's mountain people, their trials and realities and ways of life.

The book was beautifully written and narrated, and is on my short list of all-time favorites.

Absolutely LOVED everything about this book!

I love a good story and I love a good story teller. Jennifer Niven and Jenna Lamia are a perfect match. I listened to over 100 audio books last year and I would put this in my top three.

Another great read by Jenna Lamia.

Would you listen to Velva Jean Learns to Drive again? Why?

Yes, I enjoyed the story and always enjoy Jenna Lamia as narrator.

What about Jenna Lamia’s performance did you like?

She has a great voice and really gets into the character.

Great storyline, great reader!

I loved the captivating story of Velva Jean. I empathized with her all along the way, having lost my mother and having gone through many difficult circumstances in my own life.

Jenna Lamia is very talented and did a wonderful job of bringing the characters in this book to life.

I highly recommend this book.

Narrator makes the story

Velva Jean is a tender character and even though the story is *very* slow, it rambles along in a poignant sing song way that made it easy to listen to. I had high hopes for the writing to go a bit deeper with the story and characters but the overall experience felt a bit flat and anticlimactic.