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Forebears
When Jay Harding is given his grandmother June’s diary after her death he discovers a vivid picture depicting one Englishwoman’s life from childhood during the dark times of wartime Britain up to the present day. But he’s already learned dark secrets. Prior to her passing his grandmother had told him the story of her forebears beginning in the early optimistic years of the twentieth century, before the world was torn apart by the cataclysm of the first terrible ‘war to end all wars.’ That account gave testimony to shocking abuse, institutional cruelty and tragedy. Now he reads on . . .
As Jay journeys through the rich tapestry of his family history we find that in many ways it’s the reader’s own. For every family has a story to be told. Intertwined threads of earlier lives influence who we become. Jay sees his ancestors’ histories in handwritten pages yellowed with age; in sepia and black-and-white pictures dulled by time; in a poignant remembrance of lost love in a silver frame; has heard it told in his grandmother’s voice, tremulous in her decline. In exploring his forebears’ histories, Jay finds the rich echoes of the past resonating with his love-blessed present, inspiring him to meet the future.
Several themes run in parallel through this rich novel: the repercussions of sexual abuse, the continuum of female sexual reproduction, the woman’s view of fighting wars and running the world and the changing social mores throughout the twentieth century. It is a compelling social and family history; that of so many families of the last one-hundred-and-five years.
Forebears can be obtained at discount from
Autharium
and from other retailers.
As Jay journeys through the rich tapestry of his family history we find that in many ways it’s the reader’s own. For every family has a story to be told. Intertwined threads of earlier lives influence who we become. Jay sees his ancestors’ histories in handwritten pages yellowed with age; in sepia and black-and-white pictures dulled by time; in a poignant remembrance of lost love in a silver frame; has heard it told in his grandmother’s voice, tremulous in her decline. In exploring his forebears’ histories, Jay finds the rich echoes of the past resonating with his love-blessed present, inspiring him to meet the future.
Several themes run in parallel through this rich novel: the repercussions of sexual abuse, the continuum of female sexual reproduction, the woman’s view of fighting wars and running the world and the changing social mores throughout the twentieth century. It is a compelling social and family history; that of so many families of the last one-hundred-and-five years.
Forebears can be obtained at discount from
Autharium
and from other retailers.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2014
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
John Needham
8 books17 followersI was born in Rutland, the smallest (it's tiny) county in England. The first part of my childhood was spent idyllically (or so it seems in retrospect) in a village of limestone cottages; the second in the nearby Georgian town of Stamford. I began working life as a compositor, where I first became addicted to printer's ink, before going to art college and training for a graphic designer and occasional copywriter.
Later I discovered another addiction: renovating old houses (and it won't escape your notice that my novel Convergence is semi-autobiographical) and followed that noble calling for twenty years. The final chapter of my working life was spent landscape gardening.
Now blissfully retired in a village in Wales, I read a lot, write a lot and walk the gorgeous Welsh countryside with my doggy Best Friend Sali.
Later I discovered another addiction: renovating old houses (and it won't escape your notice that my novel Convergence is semi-autobiographical) and followed that noble calling for twenty years. The final chapter of my working life was spent landscape gardening.
Now blissfully retired in a village in Wales, I read a lot, write a lot and walk the gorgeous Welsh countryside with my doggy Best Friend Sali.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 18, 2014
A Beautiful & Touching Multi-Generational Novel
This author’s second book begins during the present day and then whisks you back in time to span most of the twentieth century, beginning in 1906 with a melodramatic event that has sometimes profound repercussions, to bring you back to the present. Taking the character of grandmother June as a pivot, Forebears is the story of Jay Harding’s ancestors and their lives as seen through the eyes of the women in his female line. I liked the way the book interweaves the diary of June with a narrative telling a powerful family story. This beautiful, intricate and well written saga details everyday family life and what it was like living with the effects of war emotionally, physically and economically on those at home and those on the front line. It gives insight into the poverty of the Depression-stricken 1930s for ordinary people. It tells of a baby who by sheer good luck survives a World War II V2 rocket attack. It chronicles the optimism of the New Elizabethan Age. Mostly though, it’s the story of the women of each generation of this family, of their courage, endurance and ability to just get on with things, because that’s what women do. So this is a testament to the womenfolk (for reasons revealed near the end) of an unremarkable family living through remarkable events, partly told through June’s diary and partly through the words of a surprising narrator whose identity is revealed at the conclusion. I won’t it spoil by saying whom! It’s a plea, if you like, for writing things down; for recording your life for posterity. Although fictional, Forebears is a story about us all, really. About how we are all bound to those from our past and how the choices our ancestors made influence our lives today. It is a wonderful familial and generational picture of happiness, joy, sorrow and tears, but most of all perseverance that allowed Jay’s forebears to survive, flourish, and continue their bloodline. This is a wonderful story to read again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed it.(less)
This author’s second book begins during the present day and then whisks you back in time to span most of the twentieth century, beginning in 1906 with a melodramatic event that has sometimes profound repercussions, to bring you back to the present. Taking the character of grandmother June as a pivot, Forebears is the story of Jay Harding’s ancestors and their lives as seen through the eyes of the women in his female line. I liked the way the book interweaves the diary of June with a narrative telling a powerful family story. This beautiful, intricate and well written saga details everyday family life and what it was like living with the effects of war emotionally, physically and economically on those at home and those on the front line. It gives insight into the poverty of the Depression-stricken 1930s for ordinary people. It tells of a baby who by sheer good luck survives a World War II V2 rocket attack. It chronicles the optimism of the New Elizabethan Age. Mostly though, it’s the story of the women of each generation of this family, of their courage, endurance and ability to just get on with things, because that’s what women do. So this is a testament to the womenfolk (for reasons revealed near the end) of an unremarkable family living through remarkable events, partly told through June’s diary and partly through the words of a surprising narrator whose identity is revealed at the conclusion. I won’t it spoil by saying whom! It’s a plea, if you like, for writing things down; for recording your life for posterity. Although fictional, Forebears is a story about us all, really. About how we are all bound to those from our past and how the choices our ancestors made influence our lives today. It is a wonderful familial and generational picture of happiness, joy, sorrow and tears, but most of all perseverance that allowed Jay’s forebears to survive, flourish, and continue their bloodline. This is a wonderful story to read again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed it.(less)
February 8, 2014
A fascinating story.
This story starts with Jay, standing in the church at the funeral of his Grandmother, June. After the wake, his Granddad offers him the opportunity to read his Grandmother’s diaries, which she has kept since she was a child.
That night, Jay and his partner Helen snuggle up together and open one of the journals....
As they begin turning the pages, they find themselves drawn back through the years to June’s childhood. But then another, parallel narrative appears: we are taken back two more generations to begin with June's own grandmother.
The story spans 105 years, and follows generations of the same family, down the female line, starting with Juniper, an attractive young woman who becomes a Governess in 1906. Her life, like so many others was moulded by circumstances beyond her control. When World War 1 started, everyone, including her boyfriend was sure it would be over by Christmas, but unfortunately, as we know it was not, and our glimpse into her life gives a wonderful insight into what living before, during and after the First World War was really like.
As the story progresses, I found it fascinating to read about the changes in attitudes, fashions and morals throughout the 20th and into the 21st Century.
At the end there is the opportunity to sample the authors debut novel ‘Convergence’, which is about Martin, one of the characters in this book.
This, in my opinion would make a good book for students of Modern History to read, or anyone interested in family life in the 20th and 21st Century. Within its pages you will find it all, love, life, birth death, the full gamut of emotions. At the very end there is a satisfying, surprise plot twist.
This story starts with Jay, standing in the church at the funeral of his Grandmother, June. After the wake, his Granddad offers him the opportunity to read his Grandmother’s diaries, which she has kept since she was a child.
That night, Jay and his partner Helen snuggle up together and open one of the journals....
As they begin turning the pages, they find themselves drawn back through the years to June’s childhood. But then another, parallel narrative appears: we are taken back two more generations to begin with June's own grandmother.
The story spans 105 years, and follows generations of the same family, down the female line, starting with Juniper, an attractive young woman who becomes a Governess in 1906. Her life, like so many others was moulded by circumstances beyond her control. When World War 1 started, everyone, including her boyfriend was sure it would be over by Christmas, but unfortunately, as we know it was not, and our glimpse into her life gives a wonderful insight into what living before, during and after the First World War was really like.
As the story progresses, I found it fascinating to read about the changes in attitudes, fashions and morals throughout the 20th and into the 21st Century.
At the end there is the opportunity to sample the authors debut novel ‘Convergence’, which is about Martin, one of the characters in this book.
This, in my opinion would make a good book for students of Modern History to read, or anyone interested in family life in the 20th and 21st Century. Within its pages you will find it all, love, life, birth death, the full gamut of emotions. At the very end there is a satisfying, surprise plot twist.
February 8, 2014
This is a radical departure from the author’s debut novel, in that Forebears has a much bigger and more complex theme: a family saga spanning most of the 20th century and up to the present day. Reading a second offering on the strength of a first is always taking a chance, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
I really enjoyed following the family’s progress through the years with its highs and lows and ups and downs – I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The book was unputdownable. I found myself having to concentrate a bit at first to keep all the relationships clear in my brain (although there’s a sort of mini-family tree the beginning showing the female line that the book concentrates on), but it’s worth hanging on in there.
Needham writes with great insight and compassion, and I found tissues were needed more than once. As with his first novel, which there’s a sample of at the end, there’s a clever surprise ending.
This was a very impressive book two, I thought. It certainly engaged and held my attention all the way through. I’m so pleased I took a chance on this second novel. Right, number three now, please!
I really enjoyed following the family’s progress through the years with its highs and lows and ups and downs – I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The book was unputdownable. I found myself having to concentrate a bit at first to keep all the relationships clear in my brain (although there’s a sort of mini-family tree the beginning showing the female line that the book concentrates on), but it’s worth hanging on in there.
Needham writes with great insight and compassion, and I found tissues were needed more than once. As with his first novel, which there’s a sample of at the end, there’s a clever surprise ending.
This was a very impressive book two, I thought. It certainly engaged and held my attention all the way through. I’m so pleased I took a chance on this second novel. Right, number three now, please!
April 18, 2014
A Beautiful & Touching Multi-Generational Novel
This author’s second book begins during the present day and then whisks you back in time to span most of the twentieth century, beginning in 1906 with a melodramatic event that has sometimes profound repercussions, to bring you back to the present. Taking the character of grandmother June as a pivot, Forebears is the story of Jay Harding’s ancestors and their lives as seen through the eyes of the women in his female line. I liked the way the book interweaves the diary of June with a narrative telling a powerful family story. This beautiful, intricate and well written saga details everyday family life and what it was like living with the effects of war emotionally, physically and economically on those at home and those on the front line. It gives insight into the poverty of the Depression-stricken 1930s for ordinary people. It tells of a baby who by sheer good luck survives a World War II V2 rocket attack. It chronicles the optimism of the New Elizabethan Age. Mostly though, it’s the story of the women of each generation of this family, of their courage, endurance and ability to just get on with things, because that’s what women do. So this is a testament to the womenfolk (for reasons revealed near the end) of an unremarkable family living through remarkable events, partly told through June’s diary and partly through the words of a surprising narrator whose identity is revealed at the conclusion. I won’t it spoil by saying whom! It’s a plea, if you like, for writing things down; for recording your life for posterity. Although fictional, Forebears is a story about us all, really. About how we are all bound to those from our past and how the choices our ancestors made influence our lives today. It is a wonderful familial and generational picture of happiness, joy, sorrow and tears, but most of all perseverance that allowed Jay’s forebears to survive, flourish, and continue their bloodline. This is a wonderful story to read again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed it.(less)
This author’s second book begins during the present day and then whisks you back in time to span most of the twentieth century, beginning in 1906 with a melodramatic event that has sometimes profound repercussions, to bring you back to the present. Taking the character of grandmother June as a pivot, Forebears is the story of Jay Harding’s ancestors and their lives as seen through the eyes of the women in his female line. I liked the way the book interweaves the diary of June with a narrative telling a powerful family story. This beautiful, intricate and well written saga details everyday family life and what it was like living with the effects of war emotionally, physically and economically on those at home and those on the front line. It gives insight into the poverty of the Depression-stricken 1930s for ordinary people. It tells of a baby who by sheer good luck survives a World War II V2 rocket attack. It chronicles the optimism of the New Elizabethan Age. Mostly though, it’s the story of the women of each generation of this family, of their courage, endurance and ability to just get on with things, because that’s what women do. So this is a testament to the womenfolk (for reasons revealed near the end) of an unremarkable family living through remarkable events, partly told through June’s diary and partly through the words of a surprising narrator whose identity is revealed at the conclusion. I won’t it spoil by saying whom! It’s a plea, if you like, for writing things down; for recording your life for posterity. Although fictional, Forebears is a story about us all, really. About how we are all bound to those from our past and how the choices our ancestors made influence our lives today. It is a wonderful familial and generational picture of happiness, joy, sorrow and tears, but most of all perseverance that allowed Jay’s forebears to survive, flourish, and continue their bloodline. This is a wonderful story to read again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed it.(less)
March 19, 2014
I like history books, I do not normally read biography and I occasionally read historical novels. This book is not really any of the above. However, resonated because it reminded me of talking to my grandparents and hearing about their lives or their parent's lives. A different world now, but, as this book brings out, not that different in terms of the challenges people face in their lives. i have begun to realise this more as I get older. This book feels real and the characters make it real.
In some books with parallel timelines it can get disjointed. The use of diary entries in this case works very well and the story flows along at a good pace.
I'm still thinking about this book a week after finishing it, which is a good sign.
In some books with parallel timelines it can get disjointed. The use of diary entries in this case works very well and the story flows along at a good pace.
I'm still thinking about this book a week after finishing it, which is a good sign.
September 5, 2014
This is not the type of novel I usually read, but I am so glad I gave it a go. Not only have I been moved by the story and charmed by the host of characters; I also feel I have received a lesson in social history. The story follows one family through several generations, depicting their personal troubles whilst taking in historical events such as the suffragette movement, the first World War and even 9/11. Each era in history is beautifully evoked, and the author does a wonderful job of connecting the past to the present without anything becoming confusing. I particularly enjoyed the female characters! Very well written and incredibly thought provoking.
January 30, 2015
John Needham was recommended to me by a friend as an author to seek out, and I am so pleased I did.
Forebears is an addictive read from the moment Jay and Helen begin to read their recently deceased Grandmother's journals. The characters are all beautifully portrayed, the changes in attitudes through the generations excellently expressed, and the secrets, arguments and relationships perfectly believable.
I wish I had received such a journal from my Grandmother!!
A highly recommended read.
Forebears is an addictive read from the moment Jay and Helen begin to read their recently deceased Grandmother's journals. The characters are all beautifully portrayed, the changes in attitudes through the generations excellently expressed, and the secrets, arguments and relationships perfectly believable.
I wish I had received such a journal from my Grandmother!!
A highly recommended read.
June 19, 2016
I loved this book. I really enjoyed reading the family story from the perspective of several characters and generations.
It is so well written and simply charming.
Having had a close relationship with my grandmothers and heard many stories from their times I could reminisce about the war and post-war times.
I only wished there was a family tree with time table that's easily accessible as sometimes I got a bit confused about the who is who.
It is so well written and simply charming.
Having had a close relationship with my grandmothers and heard many stories from their times I could reminisce about the war and post-war times.
I only wished there was a family tree with time table that's easily accessible as sometimes I got a bit confused about the who is who.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews