Twopence to Cross the Mersey cover art

Twopence to Cross the Mersey

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Twopence to Cross the Mersey

By: Helen Forrester
Narrated by: Liane-Rose Bunce
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About this listen

This major best-selling memoir of a poverty-stricken childhood in Liverpool is one of the most harrowing but uplifting books you will ever hear. When Helen Forrester's father went bankrupt in 1930, she and her six siblings were forced into utmost poverty and slum surroundings in Depression-ridden Liverpool. The running of the household and the care of the younger children all fell on 12-year-old Helen.

With very little food or help from her feckless parents, Helen led a life of unrelenting drudgery and hardship. Writing about her experiences later in life, Helen Forrester shed light on an almost forgotten part of life in Britain. Written with good humour and a lack of self-pity, Forrester's memoir of these grim days is as heart-warming as it is shocking.

©1974 Helen Forrester (P)2016 Audible Studios Feel-Good Heartfelt

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Most relevant  
I read this book twenty years ago when studying on a social care course. Second time around it still aroused all the same feelings of sadness, the disbelief of child poverty and how we now are very critical of our educational system and take it for granted.
I found the Liverpool accent of the narrator slightly irritating .

A good insight into the history of social deprivation.

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This real life story really tugs at you heart strings.
read beautifully, I could connect with all of the characters.

A heart reaching story

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Really interesting book, but I can't understand the thoice if terrible narrator..spoilt it a bit for me.

Really interesting story, but the narration...

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I decided to listen to this book series as my wonderful Nan had loved them so much and had always talked about them. (She had grown up in similar circumstances to Helen so I think she could really relate to her and the stories). I have my Nan’s paperback copies of the whole series but unfortunately I don’t find much time to myself to actually sit and read as I am a busy mum. So, I decided to download the first book in the series and I’m so so glad I did!! It is such an emotional and heartbreaking story, and it really makes you think about the harsh adversities of life some people had to face. You really feel for poor Helen being exploited and leading a miserable existence. It’s such a gripping tale and does not disappoint! I couldn’t wait to hear more and now I can’t wait to listen to the next one in the series!! I highly recommend to anyone!

Amazing book!!

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even better 2nd time reading the book. look forward to next in series . .

book

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I first read this book as a young girl and loved it. Excited to find it here on audible I purchased without preview and to my horror found it to be read with misplaced emotion in a god awful, unnecessary accent, un-befitting of the character. I could have wept had I not given up at chapter three and requested a refund. I therefore recommend this book and the authors works wholeheartedly but stay away from this ear bleeding narration.

One of my favourite books set in my home city

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one of the best books I've ever read ... deeply moving and harrowing yet enlightening and funny sometimes too . my favourite author .

wonderful.. just wonderful

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well written and compelling; amazing how the children all survived. makes you want to go to the next book to see what happens next for Helen and her siblings.

a truly heartfelt story of deprivation & poverty.

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The story may have been good but spoilt by the narration, unfortunately I could only read 3 chapters.

Narration

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We all know this world existed, I have friends whose parents were raised there in these conditions but the reality is harsh. The author makes a very good attempt to bring this reality to life. Enjoy is almost the wrong word as the scenario of that existance is abhorrent.

Takes you to a place you would never hope to visit

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