'Did you live here when you were small, Ma?'

Those are the word of the son of Helen Forrester, the wonderful author of a series of books and novels who explore her past as a child of the middle class thrust in to the world of depression era Liverpool.  Brought up in the gentle south-west of England who had been shielded from the rougher side of life by a private school system and obedient servants, had nearly gone mad with panic when thrust among the unemployed of Liverpool, a city brought down by the great depression of the 1930's.   She was only twelve and a half years old and made responsible for her brother's and sister's with parents who besides there despair were hopeless to change what they had brought amongst themselves.

Helen Forrester is brave and honest her writing and her ability to face life straight on.   Her first book, 'Two Pence to Cross the Mersey", and the ones that followed I have read her biographies at least four times.  I find her words and her sheer determination to overcome what life has thrown at her compelling and brave.   You live every step with Helen as she works and climbs her way out of the terrifying poverty of her childhood to achieve a semblances of dignity and educate herself.

She is definitely one of my heroines.  She was only made famous by her writing and ability to give woman courage to accomplish what they have in their hearts.