The Forgotten Family

by Beryl Matthews

A brand new, never before published, saga from Beryl Matthews Whitechapel, London 1890. Queenie Bonner is only two when she is taken from her large family in the slums to a big house in the country. She is frightened and confused, begging to be taken back, but she is told that this is now her home. She yearns for her nine brothers and sisters, especially Harry, who is her favourite. Albert and Mary Warrender rename her Eleanor and bring her up as their daughter. As time passes Eleanor forgets about her other family and loves Mary and Albert as her mother and father. But fifteen years later, when Mary dies, Albert tells her about the Bonners. With Albert's help, she sets about tracing her forgotten family. The search holds pleasure, distress and even danger as she discovers what has happened to her siblings over the years. Eight are traced, but one remains missing. There is no sign of Harry. She knows she will never rest until he is found. But where is he?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[JudiAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beryl Matthews brings a youthful charming girl to the pages of The Forgotten Family. In 1890 England, two year old Queenie is sold by her family to a wealthy couple who could not have children. They changed her name to Eleanor, confusing Queenie, but as time goes by she has no memory of her early childhood. She enjoys her life with a mother and father who adore her and she takes pleasure riding her horses on the family estate. She is a smart, very pretty and she is an extremely independent young women for the times.When she turns 18 she learns of her adoption and that she has brothers and sisters scattered throughout England. She defiantly sets out to find them.

Finding her family is the theme of the novel which branches off into love, sorrow, surprises and weddings. It is simplistic and predictable but a very enjoyable novel.

Why 3 stars? I feel as though this book was directed at young adults while being promoted as an adult novel. I do recommend it for someone exploring historical fiction for the first time.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lite, lovely, sweet escapism. Just what I needed right now.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing summary got me invested. The story was a bit simplistic, with resolutions coming fairly easy, but a nice read.

[Linda Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a absolute delightful story, Queenie is the youngest of 9 children living in the slums of Whitechapel in London in 1890, her parents desperate for money sell Queenie to a woman who cannot have her own children, at the age of 2 and a half she is taken in by this wealthy family and adopted, her name changed to Eleanor, not long before her 18th birthday her adoptive mother passes away and Eleanor is told the story of her adoption and she sets out to trace her natural parents and siblings, loved this book, highly recommend.

[Kathy Kalt · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most poorly written and simplistically plotted books I have ever read. Not sure why I kept slogging through it, but don't waste your time with this one.

[dotty caminiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book!

I enjoyed reading this book. The book kept me guessing all the way through. A large, poor family of ten children and two parents fell onto hard times. The parent sold their youngest child who was only two and half years old girl to a wealthy lady who could not have any children. That is were the story starts. This story goes on and tells how Queenie who has been named Eleanor grew to love and respect her adoptive parents and forgotten her past life . After the death of her adopted Mother, Eleanor's father lets her know she was adopted and the story goes on to explain how she finds her original family.

[Debbie Bartle · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a truly wonderful book. With Beryl Matthews, you feel as if you are living the characters.
I laughed and cried all through this excellent book.
It is so sad to think that what the Bonner family went through would have been real in the years gone by. I am just so happy that Queenie could finally find her family in the end and that they all pushed through to better themselves, except for Tommy.
I love the bond that Queenie had with her adopted father. He made her feel so loved and safe.
Queenie is a real Tom Boy not liking shoes and getting into scuffs and swearing as a little girl.
Thank you Beryl for such wonderful books.

[Nance Roepke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly believable and enjoyable book

You can read a synopsis of the book in other locations so I will not repeat them here . Since this is not a favorite genre of mine , it was pleasantly surprising to find it so enjoyable . The premise may seem a little far-fetched but still manages to be fairly believable . I found myself really engrossed in the story and rooting for Queenie and her goal of finding her family . I will read this author again which is high praise from someone who doesn't usually read this genre.

[gloria marie fontecha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Such a great read and loved the story line. In all the books,I’ve read in 65 yrs I’ve never come across a story line where a child is sold,grows up with wonderful parents and then with their support found her first parents.
It felt like you were living the story with Queenie and feel her hurt and joy. Her adopted father was strong and so loving with her.Bonus was nanny and her finding Harry
You’ll love this story.easy reading and colorful

[Donna Berlad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very simplistic writing with a very predictable story. Moved way too slow and kept reading since I thought there would be some kind of twist along the way but it failed to deliver. First time reading a book by Meryl Matthews and will, most likely, never read a book by this author again. Very disappointing!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1890 in the slums of Whitechapel, little Queenie is sold to a wealthy family. She is the youngest of eight. She is given a new name by two loving parents and wants for nothing. Just before she turns 18, her adopted mother passes away, asking her husband to tell the young woman, now named Eleanor, the truth. Will their bond be enough to keep them together? And what will Eleanor/Queenie find when she goes searching out her past?


This book was an excellent distraction and not to sound too doofy, but did have all the right feels. It’s well written in that you honestly don’t know what is going to happen next. In doing just a bit of basic research, it turns out that the wealthy would actually buy street children around this time sometimes if they were unable to have children of their own instead of going to orphanages.

[Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a refreshing change because the story flows seamlessly, instead of going back and forth between eras, as seems to be the trend with novels these days. It is an easy read good for relaxation. I will seek out more by this author.

[Coy Lee Stroud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family, ? Family Everywhere!

I gave this book only four stars because ! Probably won't read it again. This is not a mystery, or an action story. It is story about family and love, Romantic and family love. I enjoyed every minute of it. Granny Coy

[Suzanne Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family love over the years apart

Interesting story depicting how different family classes lived and came back together. Got a bit confused over family members since there were so many siblings to keep straight.

[sharon murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written

I so enjoyed reading about life in London in the late 1800's. This author's description of the poor neighborhood of Whitechapel placed me right there! So give this book a chance . You won't be sorry. Enjoy!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad to find this author!

I loved this wonderful historical fiction. It was a terrific story with so violence or bad language. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Paula Storandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyabe

This was another good read about a strong woman. Couldn't stop reading it. I do wish they wouldn't put a limit on how many words you had to write on a review!

[Carolyn McCorquodale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Family

Was an excellent book! I would highly recommend this book and author for anyone who wants something different! I could not but it down!;

[sunshine6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story felt so very real of what can happen within a family who are dirt poor & trying to survive.

[Brad Janowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor girl makes good story.

I did not enjoy the author's narrative style . Story moved slowly and was predictable. No depth to the characters.

[Georgia Brann Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and the intriguing plot. But was disappointed in the ending. Wrapped up too suddenly and fast.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rags to riches story about a child sold to a wealthy family to keep her parents and siblings from the Workhouse. What happens when she finds out years later the truth of her parentage?

[Carol York · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story about her finding her family and her history was interesting the story of her and James was flat no chemistry

[Sharon Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read, storyline was good not too deep.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, easy read! A feel good story.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating story, I will update later, just finished it early this week.

[Richard Neil Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light novel but sometimes I enjoy a a quick read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant story. It reads like it was written 100 years ago, like a Horatio Alger or Grace Livingston Hill story. Strange in a way. Preteens would like it.

[Karen Pettit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

This book was very one dimensional. I kept waiting for something to happen to intrigue me but it never did.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply heartwarming and very sweet. A nice story and perfect read for this time.