Veda, Ellen Gardner
Veda, Ellen Gardner
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Veda
A Novel

Author: Ellen Gardner

Narrator: Tamara Marston

Unabridged: 5 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/02/2021

Synopsis

If Veda’s mama hadn’t pounded religion into her “the way she pounded the dirt out of Papa’s overalls,” she probably wouldn’t have married Raymond in the first place. It’s the Great Depression and jobs are scarce, but it seems to Veda that Raymond uses religion as an excuse for why he can’t find work. He can’t work on the Sabbath, he can’t work around crude or vulgar men, and he will not join a union.After years of financial hardship, four babies, and what Raymond calls “Veda’s accident,” Veda defies her church and files for divorce. The mysterious loss of her second husband is devastating, and in order to raise her kids, she does things she is not proud of. Over the years she has blamed the church, Raymond, fate, and herself for her troubles, but it is Charlie’s recklessness that swallows up every bit of pride she has left.

About Ellen Gardner

Ellen Gardner was born in Oregon where her father followed crops looking for work and her mother did whatever she could to keep food on the table. She married young and while raising her own family, worked at a variety of jobs in insurance, banking, and government, as well as taking care of the paperwork end of her husband’s contracting business. After her children were grown, and she was remarried, she seized the opportunity for a college education. Indulging her love for liberal arts, she discovered a passion for writing. Now retired she splits her time between writing and her other passion, photography. She lives in Southern Oregon with her husband and his cat from a previous marriage.

About Tamara Marston

Tamara Marston has been an actor, singer, and director for more than thirty years. A career performer and musician, she has toured nationally with several groups and appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show and A&E’s Goodtime Café. Dividing her time between acting and singing gigs, choral conducting, music and stage directing, jingle and voice-over work, private and public teaching, and family, Tami feels very fortunate to make her living working in the arts.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Cindy on October 06, 2017

Hard but beautiful story I'm impressed with the strength of this woman who thought herself weak. And what a wonderful commemoration by her child writing her story. The protagonist wreaks low self esteem while raising seven children under very difficult circumstances. I wonder if anyone ever found out......more

Goodreads review by Cranky Commentary (Melinda) on September 12, 2021

This one was disappointing for me. The story revolves around Veda, of course, but I wish the book would have expanded outside Veda’s mind a bit. The Great Depression was a time that I wanted to know more about from an insider’s POV. Instead of focusing on the times, this was all about Veda, an unedu......more

Goodreads review by Teresa Page on March 26, 2023

Read it in one sitting! I enjoyed this book I did. Amazing how the most religious Christians can find fault in everything and everyone except ourselves. How we pick and choose scriptures that of course benefits us. How we condemn marijuana but not drinking or taking pills or fornication and the worst......more

Goodreads review by Janice Hatcher on April 23, 2021

Tugs at your heartstrings. (Spoilers) This novel gets under your skin. Veda is a woman who has a very hard life. She marries a man who uses his religion to cover his lack of ambition and willingness to care for and provide for his wife and children. In desperation, Veda divorces him to save her child......more

Quotes

“Ellen Gardner’s evocative insight into Veda’s character results in the author stepping back and Veda herself coming forward, telling her story in a voice that’s impossible to forget.” Dolores de Leon, author of Gypsy Flamenco

“Veda grasps you by your hand and heart and guides you to a place that feels both strange and familiar. In this book you live with her there and return to yourself richer for having known her.” Sharon Heisel, author of Precious Gold, Precious Jade

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