Where the Heart Is Audiobook?

Author Mollie Sherman

Posted Nov 8, 2022

Reads 45

Library with lights

Where the Heart Is is a classic example of women's literature, and over the years, its audiobook version has become increasingly popular. The novel's likeable character and intricate storyline, coupled with its compelling narrations and ambient sounds, serve to offer a immersive listening experience that is both enjoyable and meaningful.

First released in 1987, Where the Heart Is is a novel by Billie Letts about Novalee Nation, a teenage girl who is seven months pregnant and is left stranded at a Wal-Mart in a small town in Oklahoma. She forms a bond with the community, and finds strength and independence as the story progresses. The audiobook follows the same narrative arc, with each chapter narrated by the talented Grover Gardner and complemented by sound tracks and effects. The book is beautifully written and contains compelling characters, and it comes alive through the voice of Gardner.

Gardner's voice is enchanting in its own right; it is both safe yet powerful, and he utilizes it to bring life to some of Letts's most memorable characters, including Novalee, her young friend Willy and her caretaker Sister Husband. His performance of Sister Husband's religious ramblings is particularly noteworthy, conveying a combination of faith, love, and humor. Even after the novel's conclusion, Gardner's narration stays with listeners, with the sound of his steady, soothing voice prompting thought and contemplation.

Alongside Gardner's narration, background sound effects add to the overall experience and successfully help to create a rich and engaging atmosphere. Impressively, the sound team at Brilliance Audio have re-created the soundscape present within the novel, conveying both the claustrophobia of inside the Wal-Mart, and the lush openness of Oklahoma's deserts. These sounds, blended with the narration and stellar performances, give the audiobook an immersive feel that other forms of media cannot quite match.

Where the Heart Is is an unforgettable novel, and its audiobook version serves to strengthen its impact. Through the compelling and seamless narration of Grover Gardner, along with the use of ambient sounds and effects, the story comes alive and transports the listeners to Novalee’s world. This masterful combination of voice and sound creates an unparalleled listening experience, and one that is sure to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Who is the narrator of the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

Where the Heart Is, by Billie Letts, is an audiobook narrated by two characters, Novalee Nation and Sister Madge. Novalee, the protagonist of the novel, is an innocent 17-year-old girl searching for a home and a place to belong. Sister Madge is an elderly woman whom Novalee meets and takes under her wing.

Novalee Nation, the narrator of Where The Heart Is, is an inexperienced young woman who moves to Oklahoma on her way to California. Her journey, however, abruptly ends when she is left stranded at the Walmart parking lot. As the novel progresses, Novalee learns to accept her situation and finds strength and courage within herself. She meets Sister Madge and together they travel to Sequoyah, a small town in Oklahoma where Novalee eventually settles.

Novalee is a complex, multi-faceted character who is determined to make a life for herself. She is courageous, compassionate and often determined even when life throws a curveball her way. Novalee has a sharp wit and a tender heart, and her resilience gives her the ability to take on any obstacle that life may throw her way.

Sister Madge, on the other hand, is an elderly woman Novalee meets at Walmart. Sister Madge, who despite being a widower, is resilient and determined to live life on her own terms. She is a steadfast companion for Novalee and encourages her throughout her journey. She is an easygoing character with a good-natured spirit and a deep understanding of life.

The narrator of Where The Heart Is changes and develops as Novalee faces new obstacles and experiences obstacles in life. As Novalee and Sister Madge’s journey progresses, the narrator's voice takes on another perspective. Novalee struggles and finds strength within herself, while Sister Madge remains a faithful companion as they travel to a new place and eventually settle in a small town.

When Novalee comes to Oklahoma, she finds herself in a strange but comforting atmosphere. She learns how to survive and blossom in a place full of possibilities. As Novalee experiences life in a new place, the narration develops and expands with her story. Novalee grows, changes, matures and eventually finds her home in Oklahoma and with Sister Madge.

Where the Heart Is is an inspiring audi

How long is the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

The audiobook for Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts is a captivating story of love and friendship as Novalee Nation navigates her burgeoning adulthood while pregnant and homeless. It’s a classic narrative that will entertain listeners of all ages. But just how long is this legendary audiobook?

Where the Heart Is clocks in at a total of roughly 14.5 hours of listenable content, spread across 17 individual audio tracks. That’s right in line with the average length of a novel on CD: 14-16 hours. It’s a longer listen than some popular audiobooks, such as Gone Girl or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which both run around 10 hours, but likely not too long of a commitment that even the casual listener couldn’t manage.

When Where the Heart Is was originally released on CD in 1998, the entire storyline was divided into three parts plus an introduction, for a total of 17 CDs. Now, however, listeners can find the audiobook either on CD or digital download. If you go with the latter, you will find the entire audiobook in one piece. That’s a great option for someone looking to experience the entire story, plus it will save you the time it takes to switch out CDs every few hours.

The digital version of Where the Heart Is allows for easy access to any track you may be looking for, so those of you hoping to jump back to a specific section to relisten or check something out don’t need to worry. Plus, the benefits of having a digital copy (such as not having to worry about scratching your CDs or ensuring they’re backed up properly) can make listening more enjoyable, as well.

No matter how you choose to enjoy this timeless classic of literature, you can do so in relative comfort as far as the length of the audiobook is concerned. 14.5 hours is a relatively short commitment when it comes to excellent reading material and amazing performances. So if you’re looking for some interesting, feel-good entertainment, consider giving Where the Heart Is a try.

What is the genre of the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

When it comes to any type of literature, genre helps categorize different types of literature into different categories. This makes it easier for readers to find the type of literature they are looking for. For audiobooks in particular, genre is an important tool for readers to make a decision on if they would like the book they are interested in. The Where the Heart Is audiobook is a literary fiction novel written by Billie Letts. This novel primarily focuses on Novalee Nation, a pregnant seventeen year old who has run away from her hometown in Tennessee. Novalee soon finds herself living in a Wal-Mart and is taken in by two very different loving individuals, Sister Husband and Forney Hull. This novel follows Novalee’s journey into adulthood, navigating through parenthood as well as other issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and family ties.

The Where the Heart Is audiobook is a novel in the literary fiction genre. Genres within fiction have been around since mankind has been telling stories. Before the invention of the printing press and even after, the written word has served to tell us tales of triumph, adventure, morality, and romance. Literary fiction is one of the more popular genres within the fiction umbrella, although it is sometimes hard to define. It typically involves narratives in which the author focuses on their characters more deeply and is more focused on making a real-life connection rather than going for pure entertainment value.

The Where the Heart Is audiobook is no exception. Through Novalee’s story readers see an exploration of the topics of poverty, family, and relationships. While the story does feature a few comedic moments, it is definitely a novel tackling real life issues. This emphasizes the importance of relationships and helping one another, a theme throughout the novel. In addition to the themes, the novel highlights the importance of literacy — highly valued in Novalee’s life, as she was illiterate until the end of the novel. All of these components combine to make the novel an excellent example of literary fiction.

The Where the Heart Is audiobook is an excellent example of the literary fiction genre. The novel focuses on the humanity of its characters, which drives the story more than anything else. The author has created a narrative that is both uplifting and heartwarming, and readers of this genre will be sure to find it enjoyable and meaningful.

What themes are explored in the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

The Where The Heart Is audiobook, written by Billie Letts, explores many thought-provoking themes through the story of Novalee Nation, a young girl from Tennessee who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Novalee's experiences highlight the complexity of life, from the joys of motherhood to the enormity of tragedy. This is an audiobook that examines the complexities of relationships, both between family members and friends, and illustrates how love and faith can often carry people through during their most trying times.

The theme of hope is a recurring one throughout this audiobook. Novalee Nation faced many difficult situations in her life, but despite the odds stacked against her, she never gave up hope. This is a theme that applies to many difficult situations faced by people today. The speech by Novalee’s father, Wilma’s grandmama, is a prime example of this theme of hope; she encourages her family to keep their heads held high and never give up on their dreams.

The audiobook also examines the notion of family and the importance of familial ties. Novalee forms unlikely relationships with members of the local community of Sequoyah, Oklahoma, who come to play the role of surrogate family members. Despite her difficult experiences and subsequent reluctance to form connections with other people, Novalee eventually forms a close bond with members of the community. Through the support of these people, Novalee learns to rely on the strength and compassion of true family to survive and even thrive.

The audiobook also explores the importance of friendship and the power of love and compassion. One of the significant relationships in Novalee’s life is her friendship with Mitch, a homeless man whom she meets at Walmart. Despite the stark contrast in their backgrounds, Novalee and Mitch bond over their shared struggles and develop a strong bond. This relationship teaches Novalee the importance of friendship and shows that people can overcome any obstacle and find solace in companionship.

The theme of faith is explored heavily throughout the audiobook. Novalee’s faith in both herself and in God is a major source of strength for her during her most difficult trials. In one scene, Novalee visits a local church and finds comfort in the services and songs, reaffirming her belief in a higher power and her own personal strength to keep pressing on in spite of her troubles.

Who wrote the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

The Where the Heart Is audiobook, written by Billie Letts and narrated by Jessica Almasy, has wowed listeners since its initial release in 2003. Built upon a foundation of both heart-wrenching drama and captivating charm, this audiobook follows the tumultuous lives of two characters, Odessa and Novalee, as they navigate a web of meaningful friendships and profound moments of growth.

Billie Letts, the writer and author of the Where The Heart Is audiobook, began her publishing career with her 1995 debut novel, Honk and Holler Opening Soon. Following its success, she would go on to write five extensively praised novels, each of them landing a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Letts became a sensation in the publishing world for her unique fusion of the rural West, problems of modern life, and the special bond shared between women.

Billie Letts was born in a small town in Oklahoma, and she spent much of her time growing up near the wooded, rural areas surrounding her bustling little city. Though her life was, for the most part, a calm and peaceful one, Letts still managed to see the special connections and complex emotions that each and every person living in her town possessed.

Letts went on to study English at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where she later became an adjunct English professor. She eventually left teaching and moved to California, where she took a job with the Los Angeles Public Library helping children to read. After working in the library for several years, Letts decided to try her hand at writing--and, boy, did it pay off. With each novel she wrote, she gained more and more readers, and eventually she found success with Where The Heart Is.

Letts wrote Where The Heart Is with a deep sense of empathy and love for her characters, ultimately making it one of the most relatable novels of its time. Meditating on life, hope, and the transformative power of relationships, the characters and story arc in the novel resonated with readers instantly and continues to be praised to this day.

The audiobook release of Where The Heart Is was narrated by Jessica Almasy. Almasy has been a well-known and respected figure in the world of audiobooks for decades. With her resonant and hypnotic voice, she's narrated hundreds of different titles from all genres, from fantasy to romance and from horror to comedy, and

What is the setting of the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

Where the Heart Is is an audiobook by Billie Letts. The setting of this novel is specifically in Oklahoma, more particularly in the rural town of Sequoyah. Sequoyah is described as an isolated town and one that’s located miles away from anywhere else, surrounded by pastures and not much else.

The main character in Where the Heart Is is Novalee Nation, who is portrayed as a sweet, naive woman of seventeen years old. The story begins with Novalee, newly pregnant, stranded in Sequoyah while on a roadtrip with her abusive boyfriend, Willy Jack. With no family nearby and no job prospects, Novalee must make her own luck, which she does with determination, courageousness and an optimistic outlook on life.

The novel follows Novalee as she makes an unlikely home for herself in a Wal-Mart, as she meets other characters, such as Sister Husband, the Exodus church ladies and Forney Hull. Most of the story takes place in Oklahoma, with the exception of a few chapters which take place in California and Tennessee.

Sequoyah is a small town in Oklahoma, many miles away from the big city. Its lack of big business provides a single-story Walmart, a city hall and an eight-storey department store. Aside from that, there is only a gas station, a diner and a clothing store. Most of the population that makes up the small town are locals that have lived there for generations, with new people coming in every once in a while. The atmosphere of the town is one of close-knit camaraderie and often a country feeling.

As the novel progresses, Novalee meets a myriad of characters with various backgrounds, including homeless people, immigrants, and agricultural workers. This adds to the rural feeling of the town. Novalee’s experiences living in rural Oklahoma also include the everyday struggles of poverty, such as limited access to healthcare and food, as well as other amenities. Despite this, Novalee manages to make a life for herself and her baby in Sequoyah, and the book pays tribute to her bravery and optimism in the face of those struggles.

Where the Heart Is provides readers with a glimpse into life in a small Oklahoma town, a setting that is unique and personal to the author and the characters that inhabit it. The novel displays the resilience of the local people, living

What is the plot of the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

The Where the Heart Is audiobook is a coming-of-age story set in a small town in the American South of the early 1970s. It follows the journey of Novalee Nation, a seventeen-year-old pregnant girl from Sequoyah, Oklahoma, who arrives at the Wal-Mart superstore in a neighboring town with her seven-month old daughter, Americus, in tow. Novalee abandons her car at the Wal-Mart, choosing to run away from the abusive home she has left behind and start a new life. Unbeknownst to Novalee, her departure is noticed by the store clerk, Willy Jack Pickens, who takes her license plate details so he can track her down and protect her.

Novalee’s early days on the run are inconsistent, including sleeping in a church basement, surviving on free samples at the superstore, and occasionally relying on strangers to provide places to stay. She chances upon Sister Husband’s family, who graciously take her and Americus in. During her stay, Novalee meets Sister Husband’s sons, 17-year-old kindly Forney and 12-year-old gentle Mosley. Novalee quickly fits in with the Husbands, even bonding with the distant Forney.

Meanwhile, the ever resourceful Willy Jack has tracked Novalee down and is sure he will catch up with her. But it’s not just Willy Jack looking for Novalee, as her married boyfriend, Ronnie, is now in search of his kid as well. Willy Jack arrives just in time to rescue Novalee from a confrontation with a brutal Ronnie. Willy Jack reveals his true intentions and Novalee is taken by his kindness and generosity, although his advances are always firmly rejected.

At Sister Husband’s household, Novalee is determined to complete her high school studies and build a secure future for herself and her daughter. With the support of her newfound friends, Novalee is successful in obtaining her diploma. Subsequently, she is accepted into the University of Memphis and secures a job at the local library.

Novalee also experiences quiet yet beautiful moments with Forney, as they take long walks through the park and mouth country songs, as they look up at the stars. With time, Novalee is able

Who are the main characters in the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

The Where the Heart Is audiobook by Billie Letts is a captivating, heartfelt story of Novalee Nation, a young woman who embarks on a journey of remarkable self-discovery. This novel captures the complexities of the human heart while exploring themes like community, identity, and redemption.

At its core, the audiobook centers around Novalee Nation, a seventeen-year-old girl from Sequoyah, Oklahoma. When Novalee is left stranded, seven months pregnant and all alone, in the parking lot of a Walmart in Tennessee, she’s forced to embark on a journey of survival and growth. Novalee is strong, resilient, and scrappy, she takes an odd job at the local laundromat and makes a makeshift home out of the back of a store, transforming herself from a desperate girl into an ambitious young woman.

Another central character in the audiobook is Willy Jack Pickens, Novalee’s boyfriend, and father of her unborn child. A drifter who’s been on the run from his past and his own mistakes, Willy Jack meets Novalee and continues to move from town to town until he eventually joins her in Tennessee. Together, the two of them help each other to overcome their pasts and to create a better future for themselves.

Then there’s Sister Husband, an older, more established friend of Novalee’s who works at the same laundromat where Novalee gets a job. Despite the fact that she comes from a very different background than Novalee and Willy Jack, Sister Husband quickly grows to become an invaluable part of their small family, offering them both support and guidance.

In addition to Novalee, Willy Jack, and Sister Husband, there are a number of other important characters in this audiobook, too. Among these are Forney Hull, the store manager of the local Walmart and kindly benefactor of Novalee; Miz Romey, a Blues singer who Novalee meets during her adventures; and Aunt Honey, Novalee’s loving, albeit nosy, aunt from Oklahoma.

The Where the Heart Is audiobook is unique and powerful, captivating readers with its beautiful characterization and heartwarming themes. By drawing on the strengths of its main characters—Novalee, Willy Jack, Sister Husband, and

What is the message of the Where the Heart Is audiobook?

The message of Where the Heart Is, an audiobook written by author Billie Letts, is that people are capable of finding a feeling of home, even in places that may seem unlikely. This novel follows the life of Novalee Nation, a seventeen year-old pregnant girl who is abandoned by her boyfriend at a Walmart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma. Despite the hardships that she faces, Novalee is able to stay strong and courageous, utilizing the support of newfound family and friends she meets in Sequoyah to help her get through the toughest times. Through her journey, Novalee learns that home doesn’t have to be one specific physical place; it is wherever the heart is.

The novel begins at the Walmart Supercenter where Novalee's boyfriend Willy Jack Pickens abandons her and leaves her with only seven dollars and fifty cents. Desperate and alone, Novalee takes refuge in the store, finding her way to the cold and cramped space of a photo lab for shelter. Being in the Walmart is not only a physical and mental struggle for Novalee, but an emotional one as well. After being away from home for so long, Novalee begins to realize that maybe home didn’t exist when she thought it did, and she must find a new one.

Novalee's journey to finding home increases in urgency when she gives birth to baby Americus in the Walmart. This leads to a series of events where Novalee meets different people who end up playing a role in her life and helping her get back on her feet. She encounters a kind nurse named Sister Husband who helps her get medical assistance and a job at a local diner, where she mee ts newfound friends such as Rhoda, Lowell and John Green. She moves into a trailer park owned by Hazel and relies on neighbors, who she becomes friends with, to help her build a baby crib and look after Americus when she needs to work. With all these new friendships, Novalee is able to create a unique kind of home in Sequoyah, a place she never expected to be.

Throughout the novel, Novalee continues to find the strength and courage to stay positive and focused, even when life throws difficult situations at her. She is determined to be a good mother to Americus, and is stable when she realizes this is the one thing she can do to make her life

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the book where the heart is based on a movie?

Where the Heart Is is not based on a movie.

When was where the heart is by Oprah Winfrey published?

Where the Heart Is was published on December 5th, 1998.

Where the heart is by Billie Letts about?

Novalee Nation, a 17 year old pregnant teenager who is just been abandoned at a Wal-Mart by her baby daddy. Novalee's life is about to change as she meets new people and discovers what it means to be alive.

Is ‘where the heart is’ a true story?

The film Where the Heart Is is partially based on a true story. The screenplay, written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, is actually based on Billie Letts’ best-selling 1995 novel of the same name. While the events depicted in the film are not entirely true, many women, in real life, have given birth to babies in Walmart.

Is the marked heart based on a true story?

No, ‘The Marked Heart’ is not based on a true story. However, the fictional storyline is the brainchild of series creator Leonardo Padrón, who is also responsible for the screenplay. Netflix was interested in an original story from the screenwriter.

Mollie Sherman

Mollie Sherman

Writer at CGAA

View Mollie's Profile

Mollie Sherman is an experienced and accomplished article author who has been writing for over 15 years. She specializes in health, nutrition, and lifestyle topics, with a focus on helping people understand the science behind everyday decisions. Mollie has published hundreds of articles in leading magazines and websites, including Women's Health, Shape Magazine, Cooking Light, and MindBodyGreen.

View Mollie's Profile