Thursday's Child

by Helen Forrester

Helen Forrester's moving story of an English girl and her love affair with an Indian man. Peggy Delaney was a Lancashire girl born and bred, beginning to live again after the heartache of the war. Ajit Singh was a charming young Indian student, shortly to return to his homeland and an arranged marriage. When Peggy and Ajit fell in love, each one knew the future would not be easy. But as they began their new life, far from their homes and their families, they found that love could bring two worlds together...

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

Paperback

First published November 21, 1959

About the author

Helen Forrester (real name June Bhatia) (born 1919, Hoylake, Cheshire (now in Merseyside)) is an English-born author famous for her books about her early childhood in Liverpool during the Great Depression as well as several works of fiction.

In 1953 Forrester moved to Edmonton, Canada.

Reviews

[Maria Longley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peggie meets and falls in love with Ajit and head off to India for a life together. I didn't realise how much of this novel was drawn from autobiographical elements until after I had read the book which made the interesting bits of the story set in India make more sense. The author has great sympathy for the characters and it was a nice read.

[Koren · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a chore. The storyline was not gripping in the slightest, and although Forrester showed real empathy with the characters, I struggled to feel it myself. I kept at it thinking that the last book I read was so epic I was simply suffering from its hangover, which was denying me the pleasure of submerging myself into the world of the next story. In fairness there were parts of the book that were juicy enough to grab my attention, for example, when Angela divulged secrets about Barney, however, as I kept on down the road of tedium, growing strong feelings of resentment to the book as I did, it became apparent to me that it was just dull. Really, really dull.

It upset me that Forrester frequently used "and" in place of a preposition. "I would try and give...", "He would write and tell his father.." Each time I crossed these unforgivable mistakes I felt a shudder through my spine. This is my nails on a blackboard. Forrester's style of writing was somewhat bothersome. There seemed to be no air of mystery (apart from Angela's brief spell) to characters. "Peggie" would often proclaim seemingly everything she knew about a person in one long paragraph, occasionally resembling very excitable gossiping middle aged women. Personally, I'd rather such life stories to be disclosed to the reader in a subtle manner, leaving a little to the imagination.

To end on a positive note, aside from my qualms the book was written in a way that was accessible and was certainly an easy read.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time the story is about English girl who meets and marries an Indian in 1950s. She goes off to live with him in India and , of course, there is a huge culture shock. As always, Helen Forrester has a great empathy with her characters... and a happy ending eventually in the midst of racism, caste system in operation, Muslim-Hindu clashes and poverty.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Helen's 4 autobiographical books and loved them. This is a fictional story, but I believe she did marry an Indian man and was very happy, so in my mind, this is the rest of her story. I enjoyed this and came away with a new appreciation for my kitchen appliances!

[Marion]

very good book, especially enjoyed the information about Indian culture and way of life, wanted to know more, wish the book had a sequel

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully evocative of what it was like for an English woman living in India at that time. Wonderful everyday descriptions and observations which paint a detailed picture and bring the characters to life.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fictional version of Helen’s adult life and her love affair and marriage to an Indian man, this novel explores wonderfully the cultural divide, love beyond boundaries and life in both England and India after WWII. Those who read her autobiographical novels will still love this fictional version of her adult life. Even if you haven’t read them, this is still a lovely, moving love story. Suitable more for young adults and adults rather than teens like her biographical novels.

[Michelle Wilson]

This is a work of fiction but Helen Forrester did pretty much what Peggie did. She was brought up in England met her husband, a student there, married him moved to India and was not welcomed at her in-laws home right away. She lived in India for quite a long time and learn to cope with the heat, and bugs, the different people, different beliefs, the different food. It was quite an eye opener and a quick read. She takes you through her every day life a white woman i. A strange land. Helen Forrester has several honorary degrees, and has written many books, one was made into a musical. She ended up living in Edmonton Alberta!!