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The Latchkey Kid
Mrs Olga Stych, daughter of an Ukrainian immigrant, has finally made it to the top of her social pyramid. But in doing so she has neglected her son and made many enemies. So when her moment of decline arrives, it is greeted with joy by her rivals.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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136 people want to read
About the author
Helen Forrester
45 books128 followersHelen 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.
In 1953 Forrester moved to Edmonton, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 8, 2021
I wasn't sure about this book but something made me want to find out what would happen.
At first I wondered if it was going anywhere at all. I rather thought the young widow would pack her bags and return to the UK and we'd follow her attempt to make a life for herself there but it became obvious that that wasn't the way it was going.
Was the young seemingly useless boy with a huge chip on his shoulders regarding his parents going to be reconciled eventually with them? It didn't seem so. In fact throughout the tale he was plotting to get his own back or at least to make them realise he was alive. Then there were the parents. Dad worked away from home for months on end and forgot all about his son. His mother was so busy she didn't have time for him and this is the whole problem. Practically from the day he was born she has neglected him and knows very little about him. The time comes, though when she is forced to realise that he is not simply an inconvenience who she has trained to keep out of her way and very, very slowly she realises how useless and unnecessary all the things which kept her so busy were. His father, though is first to realise that there is actually something to his son. Oh, and the young widow? She eventually does return to the UK and there is a wedding coming up but that might be the subject of another book.
This story shows that it is possible to change a useless life into something worthwhile even after decades of selfishness and self importance.
At first I wondered if it was going anywhere at all. I rather thought the young widow would pack her bags and return to the UK and we'd follow her attempt to make a life for herself there but it became obvious that that wasn't the way it was going.
Was the young seemingly useless boy with a huge chip on his shoulders regarding his parents going to be reconciled eventually with them? It didn't seem so. In fact throughout the tale he was plotting to get his own back or at least to make them realise he was alive. Then there were the parents. Dad worked away from home for months on end and forgot all about his son. His mother was so busy she didn't have time for him and this is the whole problem. Practically from the day he was born she has neglected him and knows very little about him. The time comes, though when she is forced to realise that he is not simply an inconvenience who she has trained to keep out of her way and very, very slowly she realises how useless and unnecessary all the things which kept her so busy were. His father, though is first to realise that there is actually something to his son. Oh, and the young widow? She eventually does return to the UK and there is a wedding coming up but that might be the subject of another book.
This story shows that it is possible to change a useless life into something worthwhile even after decades of selfishness and self importance.
June 26, 2020
Ben MacLean is a pseudonym of a teenager author who wrote a novel called chapter sex, his book was a success in Tollemarche a small town in Canada , Olga Sych a member of the committee for the preservation of morals tried to find the identity of this unknown author, she ignored it was her Son, she cares only about maintaining her position at the top of the pyramids in Tollemarche and she neglected her Son.
November 24, 2008
Mrs Olga Stych, daughter of an immigrant Ukranian pig farmer, has finally made it to the top of the social pyramid of Tollemarche, a small town in Canada's Bible Belt. But to get there, she has not only had to see off her most determined rival, she has also had to neglect her son Hank. With enemies outside her home, and a latchkey kid inside - Hank was left to fend for himself - Olga little realises that the moment of her decline is to arrive just when she appears to be at her most triumphant. As a member of the Committee for the Preservation of Morals, Olga has mounted a passionate campaign against the latest 'immoral' bestseller. But the author of the books turns out to be her own son Hank....Olga's fall is greeted with joy by her rivals. And throughout the whole affair Hank continues to draw strength and support from the one woman who has believed in his work and inspired his love....
June 24, 2014
3.5 stars
I have read some of this authors books and thought that I knew what to expect. This book was entirely different from what I expected but it was good different. To be honest to begin with I wasn't sure that I would finish the book but it's what I call a slow burner.
Most of the characters I found to be unpleasant and the author had written them well. The fall from grace for the main character was spectacular but she redeemed herself in the end.
The only criticism that I had of the book was the era it was portraying. The cover depicted a woman in a large hat and I thought that this maybe Victorian but then some of the characters sold cars and had charge accounts. It was therefore more modern than I supposed but the author didn't write it with any particular reference point to the period so it made it harder to pin down. Despite this, it was a very entertaining book.
I have read some of this authors books and thought that I knew what to expect. This book was entirely different from what I expected but it was good different. To be honest to begin with I wasn't sure that I would finish the book but it's what I call a slow burner.
Most of the characters I found to be unpleasant and the author had written them well. The fall from grace for the main character was spectacular but she redeemed herself in the end.
The only criticism that I had of the book was the era it was portraying. The cover depicted a woman in a large hat and I thought that this maybe Victorian but then some of the characters sold cars and had charge accounts. It was therefore more modern than I supposed but the author didn't write it with any particular reference point to the period so it made it harder to pin down. Despite this, it was a very entertaining book.
October 5, 2014
A socially adept and enjoyable book.
The Latchkey Kid is set in Canada, in the small town atmosphere of the 1950s. So of course it couldn't happen now, that women prefer to push their men out of town on work, socialise with bitter intent to top every committee, and neglect their children. One such neglected latchkey kid, Hank, who passes the time by writing and chatting to a British woman, writes up a revenge novel and the racy content means it quickly finds a publisher in New York. Then the stage is set for his social-climber mother Olga, daughter of a pig farmer, to find out the hard way who is behind the pseudonym. I enjoyed this more than I'd expected and it was very revealing about the society at that time.
This story is also available bundled with Three Women Of Liverpool by the same author.
The Latchkey Kid is set in Canada, in the small town atmosphere of the 1950s. So of course it couldn't happen now, that women prefer to push their men out of town on work, socialise with bitter intent to top every committee, and neglect their children. One such neglected latchkey kid, Hank, who passes the time by writing and chatting to a British woman, writes up a revenge novel and the racy content means it quickly finds a publisher in New York. Then the stage is set for his social-climber mother Olga, daughter of a pig farmer, to find out the hard way who is behind the pseudonym. I enjoyed this more than I'd expected and it was very revealing about the society at that time.
This story is also available bundled with Three Women Of Liverpool by the same author.
October 30, 2016
Really enjoyed this re-read! I first read this book quite a while ago, and it's wee bit dated, but not as much as you might think for a book that set in the same era as Vietnam!!
October 22, 2020
This was not my favorite book. It turned out to be a drudge for me just to get through it, and took me longer than usual.
I felt like it was misnamed. The majority of the story was about a bunch of conniving, backstabbing, social climbing women who neglected their children and husbands.
The writer has no concept of point of view, expressing every characters feelings randomly. There was very little action with lots of "telling" rather than "showing".
I felt like it was misnamed. The majority of the story was about a bunch of conniving, backstabbing, social climbing women who neglected their children and husbands.
The writer has no concept of point of view, expressing every characters feelings randomly. There was very little action with lots of "telling" rather than "showing".
May 7, 2020
Unusual story.
At first glance, it was hard to warm up to either of the main characters, but as the story developed, there was a lot to ruminate on. Parts are funny, but there is an underlying despair for Hank. A look into the lives of social climbers.
At first glance, it was hard to warm up to either of the main characters, but as the story developed, there was a lot to ruminate on. Parts are funny, but there is an underlying despair for Hank. A look into the lives of social climbers.
January 16, 2021
Good
I really enjoyed this story. All the characters were fleshed out and you felt each of their personalities. I don't know about Canada but got nice descriptions of the area. Recommend this story.
I really enjoyed this story. All the characters were fleshed out and you felt each of their personalities. I don't know about Canada but got nice descriptions of the area. Recommend this story.
February 13, 2022
A journey from anger to forgiveness.
Ms Forrester has created a masterpiece in this story of a family growth, not in financial or social status,but in love and care for a community and within themselves.
Ms Forrester has created a masterpiece in this story of a family growth, not in financial or social status,but in love and care for a community and within themselves.
June 12, 2020
The Bletchley kid
I enjoyed this book but I prefer Helen Forrester Liverpool books. Maybe it's just that I associate her more with Liverpool
I enjoyed this book but I prefer Helen Forrester Liverpool books. Maybe it's just that I associate her more with Liverpool
June 27, 2020
A lovely book to read I found it an easy read. I didn't want to stop reading but it came to an abrupt end, I wasn't to happy about is there a follow on book.
September 10, 2020
One for the hols
Very good read ,very true story for a lot of children. A relaxing read new tale in every chapter will see you hrough your hols
Very good read ,very true story for a lot of children. A relaxing read new tale in every chapter will see you hrough your hols
November 1, 2022
I liked the fact that it was about a fictional Canadian town. Very different. A good read
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews