literature and movie review

The autobiographical series Two pence to cross the Mersey written by Helen Forrester comprises of 4 books written during the depression and 2nd world war years.  The four books titled 

Two pence to cross the Mersey



 Liverpool miss,

By the waters of Liverpool

 

Lime street at two

are set in liverpool England in one of the darkest times in world economic history.  These stories are about the authors childhood and young adult years. 

Helen Forrester had a difficult and very sad childhood.  She was raised for 12 years in a wealthy middle class home in southern England. During the depression she went from a pampered existence to poverty in Liverpool, north west England.   In the first two volumes of her autobiography – 'Twopence to Cross the Mersey' and 'Liverpool Miss', Helen tells the story of her families change in circumstances, rich to poor.  It is a hard story to read, Helen has a constant struggle to feed her family and to keep her mother happy and to help her spiritless father. She lives without any luxuries and education which she longed to have. The last 2 volumes are more optimistic.  Helen has gained some Independence from her family and is living in slightly better conditions.  The books conclude with he meeting of her future husband and the happiness she gains from this. 

They are a wonderful set of book which leave you thankful for what you have and the time we live. The history of the depression is captured well in these books through her great skill as a story teller. She leaves a great sense of hope in overcoming terrible adversary and troubles .  A great read!