I started with "twopence to cross the Mersey" a long time ago, and I think i've read all her books!
Do others like her too; or am I just a queer old French woman?

I really love He4len's books and am so fascinated by her that I would truly love to meet her. not only is she an inspiration to woman but I think that she (through having read her autobiographies) is a real woman with a heart of gold. I think she's great!

Ardbegforever
I am a queer old Frenchwoman too (French grâce à mon mariage, c'est à dire je suis veuve française);
I have only just discovered Ms Forrester but am now encouraging my entourage to read Twopence to cross the mersei if only to mkae them count their blessings. Can you believe the poverty? I was brought up in a humble home in Derbyshire during WW2 and thought that were poor. But after reading this book in almost one sitting my upbringing seems luxurious.
Have a good day

no your not a queer french woman at all . i have read a lot of her books my fave is three women of liverpool id love to see it made into a film does anybody think this too?

I have read all her books and am a fan of hers. I was brought up in the village where her grandma lived and nearby where they lived in the damp cottage (lime street at 2). The place where she stayed on holiday was down the bottom of my road (i think!)

I would love to email her or her publisher!

if anyone knows a fan site or anything please let me know!

lenita

Apparently Ms F is just changing her website. As soon as it is up and running I shall message her to thank her for her fantastic books

Hi

I'm another big fan of Helen Forester and I'd love to contact her or find out more about her. Has anyone located a fan club yet, please?

Apparently, Helen had a website helenforrester.com but frustratingingly, it expired a few days ago.

Please let me know if you do know anything!

Happy New Year

Mary

Hi,

I have been re-reading Helen F's autobiographies over many years. I have no doubt that she is a truly remarkable woman. She writes so beautifully and so humbly, without any bitterness or regret. She was truly very stoic and to be honest I love to read her books because it helps me get my own life in perspective and realise how little we have to moan about and how much we have to be thankful for!

She is an inspiration to me and I hope one day to be able to write a book - and if I do, I am most definitely aspiring to capture something of Helen's refreshing and candid style. She has not been afraid to speak her mind and lay bear some difficult truths of her childhood/early adulthood.

Her candidness is deeply humbling even though she must have found it difficult at times to bear her soul in the way she has.

I am sure I will enjoy her books for years to come.

All the best.

Ann T

I too am a fan of this author, I went to see a musical play of Twopence to cross the Mersey at the Liverpool Empire theatre last year, apparently Helen F endorsed it and uses some of the songs when interviewed on radio. I bought the CD from www.bandline.net The show was excellent, but if you live in France you may not get the chance to see it.

Sorry, I forgot to say that the play is back on next October for anyone who is interested in a good night out.

Liverpool is a bit too far away just for a show!
But thanks for your answer

I picked up the first of Helen Forrester's autobiographical books from our school library where I work as a teacher/librarian. It was a real pageturner and I couldn't put it down. Once I finished reading it I went looking for the second one in the series and I loved that one too. Now I have finished reading the first three of the autobiographical set but I haven't been able to get my hands on 'Lime Street at Two' but I won't give up looking. My daughter bought me four of Helen Forrester's books as a Mother's Day gift. She rang a number of second hand book shops and had a lot of trouble getting them but in the end she managed to succeed and I am now the proud owner of the beginning of my Helen Forrester shelf. I love the fact that they are second hand and they have lots of character. One of them is in large print and it is hard covered....mmmmmmmm hehehehehehe! Do I sound nuts?? I am so glad I discovered this author.

Hi

you can pick up this book on ebay, it's great but can't help wishing there were more as it doesn't really end everything.

Just wanted to add that I live in Australia. Does anyone else who comes to this forum live in Australia?
Where does everyone else live?
bye for now

I also live in Australia. I am reading the Helen Forrester 4 book autobiography for the second time, I first read them about 10 years ago when I lived in England, however i stupidly lent them to a friend who never returned them, I thoroughly enjoy her style of writing and the honesty of such hard times. I was fascinated to learn that her real name is June Bhatia - does anyone know if this is her married name? Also whatever became of the rest of her family?

Yes, her married name is June Bhatia. I had the privilege of enjoying June's company as a guest in my home for several months each winter for a couple of years. She is an awesome lady and I have the utmost respect for who she is and what she has been through in her life. Her biographical books are a true accounting of her life. Her husband who is now deceased, taught physics at the U of Alberta and I believe the physics building is named the Bhatia building in his honour. I had the pleasure of long walks on the beach with her where she shared some of her life stories with me...stories I will keep private, however, I can say that I love this woman and everything she is about. She wrote parts of one or two of her books during her stay with me and I will always have such fond memories of our time together. She is truly an amazing woman who has not received the recognition in Canada that she is due.
Sharon,
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

... to this remarkable writer. I tried to find a website so that I could communicte directly my admiration but it seems to be "in transition".
I envy you your "privelege" of knowing her but i am sure you deserve it as Ms Bhatia would surely not 'suffer fools lightly'.

hi helen forester fans!, i too am a fan, mainly of her autobiographies and would list them as one of my favourite (sets of) books. I've read them all at least a dozen times and have had to re buy them as my copies were so well used! i wrote to helen forester a few years ago (think i sent a letter via the publishers who passed it on) and was thrilled to receive a letter back from her. In it she said that all her family had done well for themselves, (however fiona sadly died when she was quite young) baby edward didn't really remember much about the hard times as he was so young and things had improved for the family by the time he could remember any details. I understood that she wrote under the name helen forester to protect her family somewhat from the publicity. It was a very nice letter and i will look it out and see if there were any more details i can pass on! bye for now

Hello Loutina

I have just finished reading all 4 of Helen's biography and have written a letter to her to express my thanks for such wonderful books. What hardship she and her family suffered. I am not in possession of her address in Edmonton and was hoping that by just putting her name and the city, that my letter would get to her. I know that I am wondering if you have her home address in order that I may forward my letter. I would be most grateful to you. I thank you in anticipation. Regards John B

Hi from New Zealand! I have just finished reading her 4 autobiography books. Which were pased onto me. Oh my, I could not put them down and have now passed them onto a friend. She also is finding it hard to put down. My heart is so full for her and the suffering she encountered. What an amazing lady. What a honour it is for you to get a letter from her. Treasured gift! I am new to her books. Now that I know she has more I will be visiting the library.