Carole O. (gatorgumbogirl) reviewed Velva Jean Learns to Drive (Velva Jean, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
I'm reluctant to let this book return to the system. I wanted to linger with Velva Jean's story for a while. But, it is a good one to continue sharing!
I liked Velva Jean. She is a mountain girl, part of a large family, and holds big ambitions of singing in the Grand Old Opry one day. As soon as she reaches marrying age, Velva Jean falls in love with a son of a moonshiner who told her the first time he ever laid eyes on her, that she was the "Prettiest face on Fair Mountain. Fair Mountain or anywhere else." The story turns at this point and I wondered if Velva Jean would give up all her dreams to become another mountain wife, stuck way back in the dark isolated hills during the time when the Blue Ridge Parkway was opening up the mountains to the rest of the world.
Though her romance, family, mountain culture and singing are themes in the story of Velva Jean, there is so much more depth in her story. She's a character I could imagine so easily for in a sense, she is every woman at some point in our lives. She's a girl/woman who has so much courage and spunk. I cheered for her dreams all the way to the last page. I'll look for more books by Jennifer Niven!
Carole O.
I liked Velva Jean. She is a mountain girl, part of a large family, and holds big ambitions of singing in the Grand Old Opry one day. As soon as she reaches marrying age, Velva Jean falls in love with a son of a moonshiner who told her the first time he ever laid eyes on her, that she was the "Prettiest face on Fair Mountain. Fair Mountain or anywhere else." The story turns at this point and I wondered if Velva Jean would give up all her dreams to become another mountain wife, stuck way back in the dark isolated hills during the time when the Blue Ridge Parkway was opening up the mountains to the rest of the world.
Though her romance, family, mountain culture and singing are themes in the story of Velva Jean, there is so much more depth in her story. She's a character I could imagine so easily for in a sense, she is every woman at some point in our lives. She's a girl/woman who has so much courage and spunk. I cheered for her dreams all the way to the last page. I'll look for more books by Jennifer Niven!
Carole O.
Brenda R. (bothrootes) reviewed Velva Jean Learns to Drive (Velva Jean, Bk 1) on + 207 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This was one of the best books I have ever read. Velva Jean is 10 years old when she decides she needs to be saved and can't figure out why, even though she goes to the front of the church with everyone else, she just doesn't feel it. Set in the Appalachian mountains in the 30's, the story is told through Velva Jean's eyes. Through her dreams of the future, striving to find out if she can make it as a singer in the outside world but being held back by family and traditions, we feal her joys, fear and pain. The characters are well developed and the story is extremely interesting.
Carol F. (cactusflowerwomen) reviewed Velva Jean Learns to Drive (Velva Jean, Bk 1) on + 628 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A poignant coming of age story set in Appalachia. It gave me a better understandng of what life was like for the impoverished residents. The book covered it all from Indian vs white relations, the "hillybilly" set of mind, including religion, moon-shining, progress, music, loyalty and family pride. I enjoyed it and the characters were colorful and interesting, yet I was somewhat disappointed in it, got bored at times.
Helpful Score: 1
Velva Jean lives with her family in NC way back in the mountains. Two of the major events early in her life was to be saved and be born again. She marries at a young age and finally gets a battery powered radio which motivates her to sing on the Grand Ole Opry wearing a rhinestone outfit. The Sky Line Drive is being built on the top of the mountains which brings change to her little mountain community. When she learns how to drive she becomes aware the Sky Line Drive is a two way road. The author's use of the local language and the stories about the central character of Velva Jean, her family, and the people in her home town make for a delicious book full of enough character to hold one's interest. I enjoyed it.
