The Velveteen Daughter: A Novel

By: Laurel Davis Huber

Narrated by: Alex Lee

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Velveteen Daughter reveals for the first time the true story of two remarkable women: Margery Williams Bianco, the author of one of the most beloved children's books of all time, The Velveteen Rabbit, and her daughter Pamela, a world-renowned child prodigy artist whose fame at one time greatly eclipses her mother's. But celebrity at such an early age exacts a great toll. Pamela's dreams elude her as she struggles with severe depressions, an overbearing father, an obsessive love affair, and a spectacularly misguided marriage. Throughout, her life raft is her mother.

The glamorous art world of Europe and New York in the early 20th century and a supporting cast of luminaries - Eugene O'Neill and his wife Agnes (Margery's niece), Pablo Picasso, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, and Richard Hughes, author of A High Wind in Jamaica - provide a vivid backdrop to the Biancos' story.

From the beginning, the novel will captivate listeners with its multifaceted - and resonates with its multifaceted - illuminating observations on art, family, and the consequences of genius touched by madness.

©2017 Laurel Davis Huber (P)2018 Laurel Davis Huber

The Narrator makes this fine novel pulse with life

I had read this book first, but since I love audio books, I wanted to hear it read aloud. I was utterly enchanted. The narrator, Alex Lee, brings so much life and feeling and heart into the story so that the characters come to life, and become Real, like the Velveteen Rabbit!
This mother daughter story spans a lifetime, and we the reader enter the story just when there was an end of innocence, the moment when a young girl who was happy to draw at her mother's feet while she cooked, was catapulted to international fame as a child prodigy. The damage is profound, to the girl and her whole family, and we stand witness to the unfolding tragedy, as well as times of magic and delight. The way this book is structured, and the story moves forward and backward across time, is seamless and fascinating. A remarkable book and collaboration with the narrator!
Fortunately, I had a five hour drive across Maine and NH to listen in rapt attention to half the book! What a thrill!

History Brought Beautifully to Life

I tend to get bored with most straight history, but a historical novel based on real lives? Sign me up! Between the author's scrupulous attention to detail and the voice actor's performance, "The Velveteen Daughter" is a novel worth hearing. You'll feel as if you've embodied both mother and daughter and you'll want to take this journey, where the two of them grapple with art, genius, madness and intimate family relationships. Toss in visits with Pablo Picasso and Eugene O'Neill and you've got a unique view into a slice of history that would have gotten lost without the author's attention. I often felt as if the writing itself was exactly like a piece of visual art, full of color and movement and meaning, as if I'd fallen inside a painting and was seeing it from the inside out. Incredible! If you like history, art, madness and terrific writing and narration, give this one a listen.

Couldn't get into it

I tried and tried getting hooked on the story, but couldn't focus. Kept forgetting who was who, where the timeline was, where the location was, etc. So many people raved about this, not sure why I didn't get into it. The voice actor is very good.

Fantastic listening experience!

I've listened to a lot of audiobooks over the years, and cannot think of a more satisfying experience! Ms. Huber's fascinating story and flawless writing are matched perfectly by Ms. Lee's delivery. Lee did a superb job of smoothly bringing alive the voices of all the characters--man,woman,adult, child. The story is based on the lives of Margery Williams Bianco, author of the well-loved children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit, and her daughter Pamela, a notable artist beginning in her preteen years. It’s an in-depth look at creativity, family dynamics, depression,and, especially, the power of the mother-daughter relationship. Listeners will feel part of the world of the arts in Europe and New York in the early 1900’s, even meeting some of the great artists of the time. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

wonderful story, absorbs you into her world

loved this book, an intimate and fully absorbing story.
the characters were so vivid you could imagine being right there with them.

Narrator’s voice was irritating

Good story - not great. Lost interest half way through. Alex Lee’s whiny voice was irritating to listen to.

Awful, awful,awful

I read this to the bloody end & must say that whoever edited this book evidently didn’t read it. I’ve never read such a collection of sentimental twaddle in my life. Yuck.

Good

Good story about one of the beloved children's books Author and her Prodigy Child Daughters life,how the story of one of my fav childhood story came to life

I kept waiting for something to happen

This story was pretty interesting, and I liked the idea of two voices telling it. But it moved at a snail’s pace. I kept waiting for something to happen. There was too much talking about nothing for me, and usually I am a fan of knowing about the characters inner thoughts.