Veda

by Ellen Gardner

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.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Southern, Historical, Audiobook

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2013

About the author

Ellen Gardner has always loved reading and writing. Memoirs, historical fiction, and creative non-fiction are her favorite genres, along with children's books. Before settling down in Southern Oregon where, incidentally, she was born, Ellen lived and worked in several places throughout the western US. Among other things, she's been the teller in your bank's drive-up window, the lady behind the counter at the tax office, and the person who took the telephone order for your Christmas pears. Retired, she's now most often seen boarding an airplane or aiming a camera.

Ellen's first book, Veda, was written after her father's diaries annoyed her so much she was compelled to tell her mother's side of the story. Her latest novel, Side-swiped, is a funny, sad, and insightful story dealing with motorhome travel, pregnancy, and dementia.

Ellen and her new husband, Jerry, having lost their former spouses to Alzheimer's disease, are enjoying their freedom to travel. When they are home, they volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association by facilitating caregiver support groups.

You can connect with Ellen on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/ellengardner... and
https://www.facebook.com/Veda-a-novel...
And at www.amazon.com/author/ellengardnerhauck

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. several years ago, I invited a local librarian to speak at a teachers' conference about books that she'd recommend for young and old readers. This was one of those books; and,
2. April 2025 is my self-declared "G and H Authors" Month!

Praises:
1. after reading her father's diary, author Ellen Gardner felt compelled to write a biography about her mother, Veda, a woman born into a Seventh Day Adventist family and coming of age during the Great Depression. Gardner shares her mother's joys and frustrations as Veda tries her best with her lot in life. She's not perfect, but who is?
2. Veda makes decisions throughout her life which may be questionable to others, but who am I to judge? Living with feelings of guilt, she eventually takes the line from The Lord's Prayer - "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" - to heart. Veda not only forgives others, but learns to forgive herself;
3. it's a quick listen (about 5 hours); and,
4. narrator Tamara Marston is so authentic, she could be Veda herself!

Overall Thoughts:
Gardner shares an interesting life story about her mother! I truly believe that everyone has an interesting life story to tell as well - we just need to get a good writer (if you are not one already) to tell it.

[Cindy Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 what happened to Ed. I cannot imagine living in such dire circumstances while bringing up the children who motivated her life.
The ending comes so quickly..... but that's real life as we don't always get to know how it will all end. I hope her chi!dren let her know how important she was in their lives. She may not have been very educated, but her perseverance was a huge lesson.
I heartily recommend this book, and am so happy I read it. Truly makes you think about your own life and how we handle the bad times.

[Cranky Commentary (Melinda) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 uneducated woman, and her dependence on no-count men in an attempt to improve her lot in life. It read like a diary, and it was a rather boring diary. It was all about the men, and the descriptions of the long list of houses and apartments they lived in. The many children Veda had were all rather average, so that gave this reader nothing to get too involved in either.

This was a rather depressing, mediocre read.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good memories

I enjoyed reading about this ladies struggles and triumphs! Life wasn't easy back in the 50's and 60's as it is in our new technology days. Made me wonder what I would have done in her situation. Good book and I will recommend to my friends.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veda is an interesting character. Thanks first reads for this book, I enjoyed reading this story, but I did feel sorry for Veda - her life was such a struggle.

[Teresa Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 divorce and taking somebody's husband.....amazing we are! Never understood how if one church banished us we make it an excuse to just stop going, like there are not more to go to, and turn our back on God.....amazing we are. How we can stay with a child molester but not a bible thumping husband if that's the case do away with both? I'm trying not to do spoilers but through it all I liked Veda like most she made mistakes and who am I too judge without judging myself? I really enjoyed this book hope you read it.

[Kana Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, my imagery for this one was way off. I *knew* the time period, but in many ways, I felt it was more modern. Perhaps being able to identify so well with Veda. From having a mother who forced religion to an alcoholic father, and even my own first marriage so eerily similar, much of the book was readily accessible memories of my own. I think that threw my mind's eye off. I could physically feel her pain as she was ignored, neglected, and used for her husband's pleasure, then to be physically assaulted by the man who should protect her.

I don't think Veda ever got her life together, per se, just began to live. Much as many of us in similar situations have done, but I do believe she finally began to accept her plot in life as her own, as she said in the end, "I feel a sense of peace and a sense of pride. In spite of ever’thin that happened, I had a lot of joy in my life, and the biggest joy of all was seein my kids grow up and become the wonderful people they are. I wish I could see my grandkids grow up, too, but I don’t have the strength for this battle anymore."

[JesRed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard read. Simply because the Veda the main character lived in a world of such squalor and chaos and never did quite find her way out. Things never seem to get better, and then the unthinkable happens. With no one in her family to take her in, and nowhere else to go, she stays with an unworthy and sick man for ever longer. Never does find the love and appreciation she longed for. Never knew the comfort of trust, true kindness, friendship or love from any of her relationships. It was sad! Even learning something of herself and how her passed effected her life and her self-tapes, she never gets out of the wreck of it all. Depressing.

[Janice Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 children from destitution and even starvation. Vedas mother is sure she is going to hell for divorcing such a godly man. I won't give any more spoilers, but this is just the beginning of Vedas story. Know that every thing she does and goes through is for her family. Give this novel a chance and it will tug at your heartstrings.

[karen service · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life's a tragedy

It's sad that Veda's dad made her stop going to school with only a grade school education. That is the typical value placed on women back then. All you needed was to find a man that would marry you, have babies, keep house and be an obedient wife. Veda sadly enough, married a momma's boy, too frail to get his feet wet or '"feel" love for his wife@children, less it may offend the lord. Divorce was frowned upon by Adventist believers. What were her options, how would she take care of children? Would she be given custody ?

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you think you can't go on and handle any more burdens, you find the will and strength to go on....and succeed. Veda had every reason to just give up and join the long lines of people looking for handouts, but she endured and persevered despite all her hardships. A remarkable woman with an amazing story of hope and salvation.

[sue moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost in Real Time

Not really a very interesting story. It was mostly just a somewhat detailed version of one person's life. Veda had her ups and downs, good and bad times--just like the rest of us. However, the really important part of the entire story was her very personal journey back home to God and to peace before her death.

[Laura Prindable · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Good reads. Thank you Ellen Gardner! I thoroughly enjoyed your novel. I give you 5 well deserved stars.

Veda was a wonderful character and I really felt sorry for her. She had a hard life but also rich too.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story with me.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellen Gardner does a wonderful job telling Veda’s story which takes place during the Great Depression.

Veda goes through a lot of hardships in her life. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Although this book was sad, it was a good read.

[Connie J Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veda's Journey

Even though I was born in the 1950's and experienced the trials of unfair treatment by employers, and lived the time of women fighting for their rights. This story caused some of that time to be strongly on my mind.
Physical abuse by spouses was easily hid by lying and protecting him.
Veda was a product of a hyper religious mother. She was pushed into a marriage with a man who was a zealot and had no interest in her romantically. He used his religion to not work. Because Veda was pregnant or busy with her infants, she couldn't work.
This story is sad and you can feel her angst with all the trials she endured in her life.
3 marriages and 7 children.
Bless you Ellen for sharing your Mom's story.
#PrayersForVeda
#PrayersForVeda'sChildren
#PrayersForVeda'sFamily

[Barbara Kidzus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiet and Deep

I like books that move characters forward at a slower pace, allowing me to learn about individuals through the story rather than giving me paragraph upon paragraph of detailed description.

Ellen Gardner's portrait of the inner world of her mother Veda is a marvel. Her mother's words and thoughts are chosen carefully and the rhythm of the book is sure and steady. The landscape of Veda's experiences has been sketched with strokes both dark and light- - laughter, fatigue, hope, frustration, love. Even the out-of-the-ordinary events are not over-dramatized but presented with quiet dignity.

I liked the character of Veda from the start and my feelings grew stronger for her as the years moved on. I am looking forward to reading more by Gardner.

[Kimberly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Interesting Life

I liked the idea of the book and what this author was striving to achieve.

I understand it’s a dedication to her mother and the trials and tribulations her mother dealt with while raising so many kids and making bad decisions for her own life and her children’s. I still think that with the background already set up by her father’s notes, the story could have been so much more exciting. Instead, it often felt like a deadpan glimpse into a dreary life.

I found myself focused on bad grammar and errors. Trying hard to decipher what was being said was sometimes off-putting. How does a book become published with so many errors?

[Robin Ofsonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humbling

This is a beautifully sad story being told by a woman who in a way I saw myself in. Veda is the main character and she lived her life trying to please everyone but herself. Putting a 150% into her marriages while her husband's put in half of that. Her greatest and most beloved achievements in her life were her children and her faith. She lost her faith throughout the middle part of her life but after raising her family and facing a horrendous ordeal she finds her faith again.
This is a worthy heart read.

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest

This book reminds me of the grandmother I never met but have heard a great deal about. She followed her husband who followed work - my father moved 19 times during 11 grades of school. Life was very tough but she loved and persevered for her children, only to die of cancer at 47 years of age. Her hardship was not in vain as her children and grandchildren live a comfortable life and has opportunities that she did not.

[Blanca E. Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

I only write about books that make a difference in how I look at life. This book reminds me that we as moms are stronger than we think and that we carve the outcome of our lives. We must not give up regardless of the hurdles we encounter. This was a very interesting book.

[Elisabeth Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story

Whether this as entirely a novel or some of it was true, it was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed, start to finish. Veda was a great protagonist and I loved reading about all her trials and tribulations. If you liked this you'd love, "Maude" or "Fireball".

[Anita P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very compelling book

Though I am an avid reader, I don't usually get into a story like I did this book. I couldn't help but think of how many of Veda's problems could have been resolved by some of the new innovations introduced since her time, but in reality she still would have had a troubling life. Gave me a lot to think about.

[Betty Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness and Sadness All Jumbled Togethet

Vedas life was hard and sometimes very happy and sometimes very stressed. Her diagnosis stunned me as I now await a third CT, not knowing what will show up above the scar of my last lug cancer surgery. It seemed that life was sometimes too much of a struggle for Veda, but she trudged on and kept on going.

[Shanna J. McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Sad. Very real.

Excellent read. The story tells of a brave and resilient woman who lived a very hard life, three disappointing relationships with men, and the joy she found in her children. While the story is very sad, it is not wholly depressing... because you cannot help but like Veda and root for her. I will not forget this story for a long time.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

And as Paul Harvey would say “Now for the rest of the story”. This book was written by Ellen Gardner “after her father's diaries annoyed her so much she was compelled to tell her mother's side of the story.”
What a roller coaster ride Veda’s life was. My heart goes out to her. What fortitude and stamina.
And where’s Ed when you need him?

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing woman

What an inspirational woman Veda was. I couldn't put this book down. The trials and tribulations she went through and hardly without complaint is astounding. For her life to end as it did was sad although she seemed to be at peace with it. Highly recommend.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Veda is raised in a strict home and married at a young age to a less than ideal husband. She has one baby after another and is living in poverty, ultimately leaving her husband. Throughout her life she has many heartbreaks but keeps moving forward. The love she has for her kids is inspiring.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so depressing I wish I hadn't read it. I felt so sorry for Veda and I know life was like that for so many women back then but I kept hoping she eventually come into her own and realize she could provide for herself and didn't need all those horrible men in her life and it showed once again the horrible side of religion. There was just no hope in this book

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Life

This is a good story. Wanting to do good but always falling short. Trying but never hard enough. Loving the tiniest and unimportant things in life just to be a little happy. Settling for the least when you deserve the best. This is real life. Be glad you have Jesus to make it all better.

[sharon murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Wow, that just about sums it up! What a life Veda had. Maybe not the happiest but she sure tried! I really loved this book. Veda led a hard life which she managed the best she could. I highly recommend this great book.💖