Helen in Trouble

by Wendy Sibbison

Helen is 16. Her "trouble" is needing an abortion when abortion was a crime. Author Wendy Sibbison offers an insightful, thought-provoking perspective in this coming-of-age historical novel set in 1963. A poignant exploration of burgeoning womanhood, mother-daughter relations, family dynamics, and sexual awakenings rooted in the mores of an era that offers lessons for the present. Beautifully written, a meaningful read for mature readers of all ages and for Book Groups.

Genres: Fiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2021

About the author

I'm Wendy Sibbison. I was born in Ohio, grew up in Northern Virginia, and had a lot of higher education in various places. I live in Western Massachusetts, where I practiced law for 35 years. Now I've written this novel, loosely based on events of my own life when I was in high school.

Helen in Trouble is about what it was like in 1963 to be a particular 16-year-old girl trapped in a pregnant body, with no safe or legal way out. She has to figure out how to save her own life. Now, almost 60 years later, while Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land, thousands of women of all ages, colors and income groups are still trapped like Helen. I fear what lies ahead.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Loves To Read.

I usually don't read Young Adult books but this one was well-written. The title says it all.

It was a fast read. Helen is pregnant in 1963. She and her boyfriend who's a freshman in college are pretty mature for their ages. Helen isn't immature but is scared and tells noone except her friend who helps her find someone to "help her." In the end her mother finds out and helps her after she gets help.

[BookTrib.com]

If, while watching the 1987 film Dirty Dancing (another glimpse at 1963), your heart ached as Baby selflessly stepped forward to help Penny when she was in trouble, then Sibbison’s novel will do that and more. Palpably connecting the present to the past, HELEN IN TROUBLE would make a fine addition to the library of any burgeoning or mature feminist.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/01/06/1960s...

[Wendy Sibbison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirkus Reviews gave my novel a star, an honor reserved for "books of exceptional merit." Here's an edited version, minus spoilers:

"A 16-year-old girl's unexpected pregnancy leads her on a hero's journey in this 1963-set debut historical novel.

“Waking up in a university library with her 18-year-old boyfriend, Quentin Caffrey, after a night of drunken, frat-house partying, prep schooler Helen Bird is panicked, and not just because she missed her chaperone's curfew. . . .Helen must soon face up to the truth: She's pregnant, and only an abortion can save her future. It requires the girl to find an inner determination she didn't know she had, reach out to a friend, trust strangers, and ask for help. Both in the process and its aftermath, these resources come through for her, allowing Helen to make rich connections with feminine strength and caring, finally breaking her and her family's walls of silence. . . .The author does a fine job of tying Helen's everyday life, during which she must hide every sign of her pregnancy, to the compelling archetypal elements in her experience. . . .

“A beautifully written, compassionate coming-of-age tale with subtle mythic overtones."
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Coming after a novel that showed me how much I need to relate to the main character in order to really engage with a book, this was perfect. I've never had an abortion but I have certainly been young and naive. And I grew up in the era in which this novel takes place. So all in all, it was easy to relate to the main character and root for her. I also liked the way the plot evolved very naturally and how the people connected with each other and learned about each other in a natural, believable way. Part of the pleasure for me is that this novel is written by a friend of mine but I so quickly forgot about that and just got caught up in the book. Brava, Wendy!

[Julie Kleckner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how I feel about this book.

This is more of a young adult book and they may get more out of it. It would make them think about the results of some of their actions. The book does a good job of exploring the emotions of everyone involved.

[Afshiin Behvand-Nejaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

‌‌این کتاب ماجرایی از سال ۱۹۶۳ در آمریکا را روایت می‌کند که شاید دل شما را بلرزاند، شاید درد زیادی به قلب‌تان بدهد، اما از شما انسانی بهتر، با قضاوت‌هایی عادلانه‌تر و نگاه و عاطفه‌ای عمیق‌تر و پالایش یافته‌تر خواهد ساخت.

هلن شانزده ساله است. باردار است. و سقط جنین، جرم است.
یک لحظه خودتان را در سن و موقعیت هلن تصور کنید. سعی کنید راهی برای نجات آینده‌تان بیابید. تلاش کنید کودکی را که در وجود شما حیات می‌یابد از دنیایی که پس از تولد، بی‌رحمانه و نامنصفانه با او رفتار خواهد کرد، حفظ کنید. و سعی کنید این راه‌حل‌ها را بدون درگیر شدن با قانون و پلیس و زندان اجرا نمایید! و از یاد نبرید که شما نوجوان شانزده ساله‌ای هستید که به سادگی به همه اعتماد می‌کنید، به راحتی فریب می‌خورید، چیزی از مشکلات و مراقبت‌های بارداری نمی‌دانید و خانواده‌تان با سکوت سرد و شماتت‌آمیز خود هرلحظه عذاب‌وجدان شما را وخیم‌تر و دردناک‌تر می‌کنند.
کتاب "هلن در مخمصه" با این جمله‌ی سیمون دوبووار آغاز می‌شود: هیچکس ذاتاً زن به دنیا نمی‌آید؛ بلکه زن می‌شود.

یکی از خوانندگان کتاب خطاب به هلن، قهرمان کتاب، نوشته:
اوه، هلن! هلنِ کوچک و شجاع و باهوش و عزیز من! در اون سال‌ها (دهه‌ی هفتاد میلادی) من همسن تو بودم و داستان زن‌هایی که با مشکلی مانند مشکل تو روبرو شده بودند رو در مجلات می‌خواندم! اما تا قبل از خواندن داستان تو، هیچوقت معنی و دردناکی اون داستان‌ها رو نفهمیده بودم!

[Barbara Waloven · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pregnant 16 year old myself (in the mid ‘70s) I could definitely empathize with Helen’s situation. I can’t imagine how difficult her decision was, considering her choices in the ‘60s and how society treated unwed mothers. This coming-of-age story made me so glad that our culture has shifted to where it is today; not perfect but definitely better in most places and hopefully still evolving.