Customer Reviews

Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Written by Jerelyn Craden, Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon: A Tale of Self-Mastery and Love is a novel about Vessie VanCourtland, a burned-out, thirty-year-old former psychic and levitator-mediator turned jingle writer. Determined to turn her life around and place a new value on authenticity, she dares to make drastic changes with the aid of ancient yoga techniques, the insights of her wise-cracking Inner Child, and the long distance support of Mrs. Smith, her surrogate Jewish mother who speaks in a hodgepodge mess of folksy sayings only Vessie can interpret. Vessie's sweeping transformation brings with it unexpected surprises; reinventing her life doesn't necessarily make anything any easier, in this charming, witty adventure of self-discovery.

This book has quite an assortment of colorful characters. It's funny because the most sane character I felt, which is Vessie, is the one seen by others as completely bonkers. Vessie is an endearing character that made me root for her to find the peace she is after. Even though there are serious and sad events to the story, there are so many hilarious situations, that it makes for a refreshing read. I've never read about levitation in quite such a manner. It's hard to talk about some of the humor in it without giving the story away. Craden's writing flows very well. Full of wit and introspection, I recommend this one highly.

I am a male and don't usually read female authors. While I know this is an awful confession, Vessie made me do it. Well actually it's Vessie's female alter ego Jerelyn Craden who I discovered lives in Canada and writes such beautiful, touching, real and important things through her main character, dear, sweet, wonderful Vessie.

To quote another woman writer, Carole King, "winter, spring, summer or fall", Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon: A Tale of Self-mastery And Love, is a great read and friend for all seasons.

I was capitivated by the rich, full characters, the fast paced plotting and the fun, funny, exciting adventures of our dear friend Vessie.

This is a tour de force of adventure, self-discovery, and universal realization. The book combines these hefty elements into a lighthearted, ecstatic escapade through the hills of Malibu, the streets of New York City, the avenues of Los Angeles and the small town where Vessie grows up and discovers her "special" and magical skills.

From a male perspective this is not a book about gender, or even about the tension between the sexes, even though it is very much a love story. And from the first chapter, everyone will fall in love with Vessie.

I am certain that most readers will not only enjoy this book through their laughter and tears of joy, but will sincerely wish that Ms. Craden will summon up her extraordinary "powers" in order to write the much desired sequel to Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon.

Vessie Flamingo embodies a character, sure to hit a home-run with everyone! We've all known someone who might be a little "strange," someone with qualities that don't seem "normal," but what a relief it is to know that these folks are simply special!

Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon is truly an adventure into self...a discovery of qualities we don't always share with everyone...even ourselves! Told in a witty, energetic (sometimes even outlandish) style, this novel held my interest throughout, touched my heart and soul, and addressed issues that are often poo-pooed even by today's standards!

Well-written in ways that catapult one's imagination, this character MUST be seen again. We MUST follow Vessie into other adventures. Jerelyn...stay on top of this one. She'll fly you to the moon...and back again! Hang on...and thanks for the wonderful ride!

I recently finished reading "Vessie" ... what a pager-turner! I can't wait for the sequel! The suspense is killing me! It is such a funny, entertaining, moving, uplifting and inspiring adventure. I just loved it. Thank you so much Jerelyn. You are a wonderfully gifted storyteller/writer. Needless to say, I've been spreading the word about "Vessie" as I want my friends to enjoy the ride as much as I did. WOW. I was so sorry to come to the end ... I want more, more, more!!!

Vessie Flamingo is a thoroughly refreshing, satisying read. It's funny, poignant, and kept me on the edge on my seat. I cared about this character. She reminded me of how different in so many ways I have felt at times in my life. Of dreams I've had that I've pushed down. I've made the same mistakes more than once, as she did... until "enough" was the result. She reminded me to take a look at my life and ask myself: Am I doing what I want? Am I living authentically? What do I really want to create" What do I have to change in my life to be truly happy? I have to say, I laughed as much as anything. Jerelyn Craden truly is a wonderfully clever, witty writer with enough insights about life to make me want to invite her to tea. I am definitely going to suggest Vessie Flamingo Outshining the Moon to my book group. It's rich with subjects that I'm sure will engage us all in profound and entertaining conversations.

I wasn't sure I'd like this book or even finish reading it as it was suggested to me by a good friend. But once i got into it I wanted to follow its path to find out what lay ahead for Vessie. I find I'm not into some of her things but it didn't matter. Anyway, some of it can be taken as metaphors. As for vessie, I felt for her.

I understood her plight and I wanted her to win. I was surprised that i wasn't just entertained bit I was also learning as she was learning. Good stuff and bravo to the author. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is on any kind of inner search.

I loved your book, Jerelyn. It made me laugh out loud many times, but even more, it made me feel Vessie's world. It caught me by surprise when a friend called (as I was part way through your book) and she asked after a couple minutes into the conversation, what was up with me. I hadn't realized 'til that moment that I was in a twilight zone between Vessie's "book reality" and "my reality."

I read your book over the course of two days and part of me wanted to hurry on so that I could find out how life was to go for our friend, Vessie; but the wiser part of me knew enough to take my time to savor the wisdom, humor, struggles and discoveries of our heroine. One doesn't chug down a bottle of fine wine. Likewise, a speed-reading of Vessie would miss the new eyes with which you paint her world, or the gems embedded in her subtle understanding of things.

I liked that Vessie didn't settle for the carrot or seeming "best choice" in her quest for being her whole self. She reminded me that I have inner promptings and vision, and that the challenge is: Do I live my truth and discover the work, spiritual path and love that makes my heart sing?

Like Vessie, I have a rich spiritual/psychic life that I have variously pushed down, set aside or neglected to share because in the material world, it has been seen as weird woo woo stuff. We don't get burned at the stake for it right now, but the price for sharing can feel very high. Like her, I am striving to surround myself with people who "get it" or at the very least, honor that part of me.