This is a novel that I thought started out pretty well and then got consistently better as it went along. The story takes place during the Depression in Appalachian North Carolina in a mountainous area that is to a great degree isolated from the outside world. Velva Jean is eleven years old, living with a family that is, for the most part, loving but begins to slowly disintegrate as the events of life unfold. The sense of place and time that Niven provides us is excellent. Southern Baptist religion mixes easily with nature healing and local superstition. Velva Jean's voice is a strong one and grows subtlely as she ages (the narrative brings her to 18). The plot line is a good one, and believable, if not entirely compelling at all times. It story centers around Velva Jean's growth and dreams, her family's and community's dynamics, and that community's feelings, ranging between dread, fierce resentment and excitement, towards a new highway that is slowly being built toward them and end their isolation. I gave this book 3 1/2 stars. It could just as easily be four. All in all, I recommend the novel fairly strongly. ( )

was a really good book ( )

Review: Velva Jean Learns To Drive by Jennifer Niven.

It’s a story set in the gold-mining and moon shining mountains of the Appalachia. Back then they where known as the back side hillbilly territory, now well gone. Mountains where people suffer failure, lose, and betrayal as well as the strength and enjoyment of connections and deep love.

It’s a story with a lot of emotions and the slow moving changing of the times which these people weren’t ready for. It was about a girl’s environment, family, the rules they abide by and most of all her dream of becoming a country singer in Nashville. However, home life kept her hidden in the dense forest of the mountains, doing her duties of being a mountain woman.

Yet, she still had that strong inspiration to do what she wanted. She just had to find ways of hiding and deceiving people around her to inch her way beyond the valley below the mountain. Velva Jean did fall in love one day to a stern-turned revival preacher who was a horrible dirty hillbilly boy when growing up. As their love story unfolds, Velva Jean struggles to find happiness. So, will she become the demure wife, her husband wants her to be??

I thought the book was beautifully written. It’s an unforgettable story about love, spirit, and finding the courage to follow one’s dreams. Among Velva Jeans story there are creative characters who you’ll fall in love with and some not to tasteful to chum around with. This story captivated me and I recommend it to anyone who has ever longed to follow another person’s culture and beliefs. Read on and live with the hillbilly’s for a few days….and find out if Velva jean get’s to drive….
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A great Southern Lit coming of age story. Totally engrossing and amazing character development. I listened to the digital audio book from the public library which is a great production of the book. ( )

Velva Jean Learns to Drive is a stunning piece of historical fiction, set in pre WWII Appalachia. With a strong voice, a vivid setting, and a a cast of characters so vivid that I expect to run into them doing errands, it is the kind of book you won't soon forget.

A lot of times, especially when it comes to women in my generation, we forget how far our gender has come in less than 100 years. Velva Jean was expected to listen to her husband no mater what and just settle down, marry, and have babies, She was even told by her sister that her dreams were too big and were a waste of time. Luckily, Velva Jean has others around her who love her and believe in her. paired with an inner strength that pushes her.

>As many who read this blog know, I am not a religious person. This book had a very interesting take on religion and what it means to one individual be saved. Watching Velva Jeans' personal faith grow and change was one of the most interesting and thought-provoking aspects of the novel. I think those who enjoy Christian fiction/general crossovers will appreciate her journey and will be left with several things to think about. Others, who are more like me, will be happy that a message isn't being pushed upon us and that it lets readers form their own ideas.

Velva Jean Learns to Drive also made me grateful for the support I have in my life. Velva loses her mother at a very young age, but has a large, loving family that looks out for her. One of her brothers is only two years older than her, but provides some of the most sage advice and insights on her life. He challenges her in a way only a brother can. She also has a caring and supportive grandfather who is willing to stand up for what is right and always believes in her, even if she is only 18 and a woman. The care and respect that he gives to all of the women in his life is a great contrast to many of the other men in the novel and time period.

The final thing I want to touch on in the novel is her husband, Harley. He does not start off as a mean man, Velva is much too smart for that. He is kind and loving. Their relationship may not be complete equality, but it is close. After an accident, he changes, becomes harder, and starts to be what we would call emotionally abusive today. Then, he was just being a husband and holding dominion over his wife. Watching Velva Jean see what he was doing and not being okay with what is expected showed a strength and power that I bet was more common than we would believe. ( )