Crazy Ladies (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Michael Lee West Play Audiobook Sample

Crazy Ladies (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook

Crazy Ladies (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Michael Lee West Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Michael Lee West, Piper Maitland Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2006 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780061135453

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

12

Longest Chapter Length:

29:49 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

16:53 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

23:21 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Michael Lee West: > View All...

Publisher Description

A lively multigenerational tale of six charming, unforgettable Southern women--a story of love and laughter, pain and redemption.

Though she was born in Tennessee, Miss Gussie is no country fool. A woman who can handle any situation, she has her hands full with her two headstrong daughters who happen to be complete opposites -- dour Dorothy and sweet Clancy Jane. Hoping money will heal childhood wounds, Dorothy marries the owner of a five-and-dime, while Clancy Jane gets into a mess of trouble, running off with a randy tomcat who pumps gas at the Esso stand. And then there are Gussie's granddaughters, the smart but plain Violet and fancy-talking Bitsy -- a new generation whose lives will reflect a nation's tumultuous times. From Tennessee to New Orleans, from psychedelic San Francisco to a remote Southwestern desert ranch, this funny, poignant novel spans more than four decades as it vividly recounts the universal loves, sorrows, and joys of women's lives.

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"It was hard to put this book down... A story of 6 women (a mother, her two daughters and their daughters and a maid) in Tennessee and their relationship with each other- which wasn't always a pleasant one. You kinda get caught up in all the drama!"

— Mindi (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Powerful…Impressive.”

    — New York Times
  • “Gripping…Dazzling…Unforgettable…An absorbing, skillfully interwoven mix of calamity and comedy”

    — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  • “A wonderful first novel of the lives of three generations of Tennessee women…I can't think of enough nice things to say about Crazy Ladies. The voices are sharp, wry, and utterly convincing.”

    — Washington Post Book World
  • “Wonderfully inventive…Her writing is brilliant in detail and dialogue, flavored with just enough spicy Southern wit and wisdom.”

    — San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle
  • “West's accent is Southern fried and brassy...her spirited performance is enjoyable.”

    — Los Angeles Times

Awards

  • AudioFile Earphones Award

Crazy Ladies Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.58139534883721 out of 53.58139534883721 out of 53.58139534883721 out of 53.58139534883721 out of 53.58139534883721 out of 5 (3.58)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 15
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I'm not sure how so many people can have such unhappy lives. There were a lot of crazy dysfunctional ladies and a lot of cheating men. Not my type of book. "

    — Tina, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is one of those books I read in the past and forgot I did so. It was good; your typical strong Southern women book. Just my style~! "

    — JoAnn, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent, well-written, and LOVED the characters. Easy reading. A real gem! "

    — Joanne, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very enjoyable book about several generations of women in the same family. Written from the personal viewpoint of each girl/woman as she grows and ages. Very realistic. "

    — Joannn, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I really wanted to like this book. I loved Mermaids in the Basement, but I just didnt care for this one. It was too stereotypical Southern (and I love southern novels) & too depressing. Dorothy, who I know is supposed to be an annoying character, annoyed me so much that I had to put the book down at times. I felt like this book was just too all over the place for me. I was glad when it was over :( "

    — Gretchen, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The book was narrated by several characters making it a bit choppy and hard to get to know any one person. Never really understood why some of the characters made certain decisions. "

    — Christine, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I am loving this author! Great characters, although I found the crazy part a lot more sad than "haha" crazy. I don't think I have ever despised and yet felt as sorry for a character as I did for Dorothy. Mad Girls in Love is next on my list! "

    — Laura, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fantastic Southern fiction. My favorite. Strong, funny and wise Southern women. "

    — Clara, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Very enjoyable, but pushes feminism too much. "

    — Peggymca, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Love, Love, Love! Must be made into a movie. "

    — Iamabibliophile, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Read this book a very long time ago, but the characters are unforgettable. "

    — Stephanie, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " wow, they really were nuts. "

    — Debdanz, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I honestly don't know what I thought of this book. I had a hard time believing the characters at times because they were so unremittingly tragic. It ends in an interesting way and the characters are certainly engaging. "

    — Michael, 11/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It was better than mermaids in the basement. "

    — Zoe, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I've read this book several times before. It's a mix between a simple Southern novel and historical fiction. I love all the women's characters and the fact that the story is told from each of their points of view. "

    — Gail, 11/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I loved this book. If you are into stories about realistic women struggling through life you just might want to give this book a read. "

    — Candice, 5/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book!!! I laughed and cried throughout. Being from the South, I could relate a lot to the characters "

    — Leah, 4/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Such a realistic portrayal of Tennessean women! "

    — Kelly, 4/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is a great series if you just want a fun read that will make you laugh out load! "

    — Crystal, 4/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " really enjoyed this. Strong, funny characters and relationships. Wish the Dorothy character hadn't been so over the top annoying, but again, loved the southern traditions and weather events. "

    — Cathy, 3/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another great book by this author!!! "

    — Teresa, 1/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read this one in 3 days.It is highly enjoyable and the ladies of the book are indeed crazy.Not as good as "Divine secrets of the Ya ya sisterhood" (which also concetrates on South and its ladies)but I enjoyed it neither the less. I found pieces of my character in almost every heroine of the book. "

    — Xrusanthi, 11/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " i did not really care for the stories of women getting beat up or getting pregnant at such a young age. maybe in the south that is acceptable. kind of a waste to bring in a life and they can hardly provide for it. "

    — Mandyfujita, 7/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An intriguing story. I liked how all of the different characters had a voice. It was amazing how one situation could create such a turn of events. "

    — Ginny, 6/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Of all the Southern ladies novels, and there are tons, this one rises above the genre. The rest of this author's titles are disappointing in comparison. "

    — Eileen, 4/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " some southern-isms a little too cliche "

    — Abney, 3/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Quirky but enjoyable. If you like Fannie Flagg and/or Lorna Ludvik, you'll probably enjoy this book. "

    — Julie, 11/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It was so good, enjoyed the humor, the sadness, spicy Southern wit and wisdom.I couldent put it down. "

    — Marion, 8/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Southern story of 6 women, 3 generations of a family growing up in a small town in Tennessee. Told through the different characters this story is compelling and crazy. "

    — Barb, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Book Club selection for the month. quite the story. every chapter packs a wild happening and yes, pretty much all the characters are crazy. "

    — Robin, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 82nd: CRAZY LADIES by Michael Lee WestTrivia Winner - Jennifer~COVE OPINION: B, Great story! "

    — The, 2/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A fast forward read of a family's life and all the women in it. "

    — Renee, 1/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is one of those books I read in the past and forgot I did so. It was good; your typical strong Southern women book. Just my style~! "

    — JoAnn, 11/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another great book by this author!!! "

    — Teresa, 11/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I love books about GRITS written by GRITS. Enough said. "

    — Virginia, 11/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Totally Loved this Book. Another great recommend my Linda Vickery! "

    — Stacie, 10/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A great "southern ladies" novel. Very enjoyable to read! "

    — Kim, 10/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I didn't finish this. I thought it was depressing. I just wasn't following the story very well. It didn't interest me enough. "

    — Celeste, 7/23/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Written in language I understand. :) Prose reminded me of my granny and her family - true Tennessee holler people. I enjoyed. "

    — Rachelle, 7/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Too busy to write a review but a great book "

    — Sandie, 6/29/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An intriguing story. I liked how all of the different characters had a voice. It was amazing how one situation could create such a turn of events. "

    — Ginny, 5/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It was better than mermaids in the basement. "

    — Zoe, 5/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a terrific debut novel, and one of the best opening scenes in Southern Literature. "

    — Darnell, 4/26/2010

About the Authors

Michael Lee West is the author of Mad Girls in Love, Crazy Ladies, American Pie, She Flew the Coop, and Consuming Passions. She lives with her husband on a rural farm in Tennessee with three bratty Yorkshire terriers, a Chinese Crested, assorted donkeys, chickens, sheep, and African Pygmy goats. Her faithful dog Zap (above) was the inspiration for a character in the novel.

Michael Lee West is the author of six novels, including Crazy Ladies, Mad Girls in Love, American Pie, and She Flew the Coop, as well as a food memoir Consuming Passions. She lives with her husband on a farm in Lebanon, Tennessee, with three bratty Yorkshire terriers, a Chinese crested, assorted donkeys, chickens, sheep, and African Pygmy goats. Her faithful dog Zap was the inspiration of a character in Mermaids in the Basement.