LIME STREET AT TWO

by Helen Forrester

253 pages of excellent text. This is a lovely memoir written by June Bhatia, whose pen name was Helen Forrester. It details her life in Liverpool through the Great Depression and the war, and is filled with stories of courage and endurance. First Edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography, World War II, Historical, British Literature

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

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

[Fazackerly Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about her, but the way she writes is amazingly readable. I could happily carry on reading as she covers the rest of her life. Poor thing, she didn't have much luck with her first two fiances. I'd love to read about her meeting her husband and how her life finally started to get better.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and it felt as though the author rushed through it to get it finished.

Having said that, it still gave a fascinating personal insight into what Liverpool and its people went through during the Second World War. I knew it was badly bombed, the scars where still visible decades later when I grew up there, but to read a first hand account was sobering.

As a child I often wondered why there was a gap in the row of terraced houses across the road from my house. It wasn't until my mother told me the side wall of our house was bowed because of a bomb blast during the war that I understood. So much terror and suffering in the quiet street that I grew up in, and had never really thought about until I read this book.

I like a book that makes me think and stirs up some emotion. This is one of those books.

[Catherine Bilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Forrester's memoirs tell the story of life in poverty stricken Liverpool through the 1930's and up to the end of WWll. I have loved reading all 4 books, giving 5 stars to the first 3. There was something about this final book that didn't quite have me captivated so I'm giving it 4.5 stars.

The eldest of 7 children she was treated atrociously by her mother and her father was plain feckless. I couldn't believe how selfish her mother was. Stealing money from Helen, pawning anything and everything. In the previous book Helen recounted the time she borrowed a friend's typewriter. Her mother took it to the pawn shop. What a despicable woman!

Her son has written a biography about the life Helen went on to live after she moved away from Liverpool. Passage Across the Mersey. I'm looking forward to finding out what happened next.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last part of Helen Forrester's autobiography.

Back Cover Blurb:
In 1940 Helen, now twenty, reeling from the news that her fiance Harry has been killed on an Atlantic convoy, is working long hours at a welfare centre in Bootle, five miles from home. Her wages are pitifully low and her mother claims the whole lot of them for housekeeping. Then, early in 1941, she gets a new job and begins to enjoy herself a little. But in May the bombing starts again and another move brings more trouble to Helen, trouble which will be faced, as ever, with courage and determination.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Helen Forrester continues the moving story of her early life with an account of the war years in blitz-torn Liverpool, and the happiness which she so nearly captured, but which was to elude her twice.
This book goes through the war explaining some of the frightening experiences that Helen encounters

It is well worth reading all four of these books, some of the best I have ever read..

[Rita Mahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Forrester has had a life filled with pain yet she is able to write about it objectively. This takes place in Liverpool and surrounding areas where Helen is working at various jobs and giving her wages to her mother who fritters them away on cigarettes and cinema visits. Today all these children would hopefully be taken away from such selfish, uncaring parents. How Ms. Forrester is able to go on through so much adversity is truly amazing.

[Sandra Hollins · Rating 3 out of 5]

All four books are a well written autobiographical social history and offer an insight into one family's life through 30s Liverpool, and through the war. If you ever wondered about the difference between being poor and true poverty you'll find your answer here. A moving end to a very disturbing family story.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last in the series of autobiographical novels, where she still lives in Liverpool, but during WWII which was blitzed and consequently she lost both her fiancés to the war. Still in her wonderful prose and first-person narration, this ‘conclusion’ is really, but a step in her life journey, but is the last of the chapter that was her life in Liverpool. Great for older teens and adults.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sequel to Helen Forrester's excellent autobiographical trilogy, but I found it disappointing. Unlike the earlier books, this didn't read like a story and I didn't find it moving or even particularly interesting. Too many facts and unconnected anecdotes.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as her previous two. Probably because there was a lot of repetition from the others. It was mostly about life during WWII and there was less description about her personal struggles, which I found fascinating. Still enjoyable and interesting, though.

[Donna G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Final Chapter in Helen Forresters autobiography.

The 4 books of Helen's autobiography recount her childhood and early adult hood in Liverpool during the depression and World War Two.

All 4 books are a heart breaking read

[hayls 🐴 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final book in Helen Forrester's biographical series details her experience living in Liverpool during WW2. Those of you looking for personal accounts of wartime/Depression era Britain, this series is the place to start. It's a good introduction to 20th century history for young adults too.

[Jo Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this one from car boot sale, read it and then wanted to read the rest of her books

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poverty in Liverpool in the 30s, authentic representation, likeable characters, sobering storyline.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series. When I finish each book, I pass it on to my friend Judi. She agrees that we just can't put these books down.

[Jaime Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite book from the seris

so well written with descriptions making you feel yo are there

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this whole series but the abrupt ending was a bit disappointing...still a wonderful read though.

[Zaara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entire set of 4 holds up beautifully on reread. Simple, powerful, inspiring.
*Keeper.

[Tracy Davies-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the series and just as lovely a read. We start to see a more upbeat Helen here and things appear to be going better, though not without its hardships or tears. As ever Helen’s mother continues her selfish antics and brings misery to Helen’s every day. I love despite its times this book touched upon feminism, misogynistic ways and homosexuality. Helen’s tenacity to do better and be better is just admirable throughout, I got lost in this book. I felt he’d misery, her happiness and her tears!

[Mrs J A Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

Captures a part of history. World War 2 and the lives people were forced to lead. I have enjoyed all of Helen’s books. This is the final book in the Liverpool series. I can thoroughly recommend them all. You need to read in sequence.

[Bootzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written book. It vividly captures what people endured and how they lived during the Second World War. Reading it really highlights how much living standards in Europe have progressed since then, and just how fortunate we are today.

[Shazi Surti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, I wish it didn't end here!

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped by the whole series.

[Tania]

Book written with courage. Since it was set in the real world of the 1940s, the times were tough. And yet the author kept on battling.

[Babs Cullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series. The fact that the last part of the story, was placed into the third book, meant that I already knew the outcome. Even so, I was disappointed that we didn't get to know how Helen managed to free herself from the grip of her parents. I almost felt that I'd been left in limbo, regarding the transfer from misery to happiness.

Well worth the read, though!

[Susan Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have never written to an author, I find myself regretting that I did not try to communicate with Ms. Forrester during her lifetime to tell her how much I appreciate her telling her story. It was such a significant viewpoint on such an important time and place. As so many have noted, it is not easy but very worthwhile. I would like to think this series will never be out-of-print.

[Valerie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read!

I really liked this last book in Helen Forrester’s 4 books, It's mostly about the war time and relationships she has but a bit of a letdown finishing the book just as the war has finished.