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Yes, Mama
From the author of four bestselling autobiographies and a number of equally successful novels, comes another moving tale. A triumph of innocence over hypocrisy... Alicia Woodman was born into a home that should have been filled with comfort and joy. Her mother Elizabeth was bright and vivacious, Humphrey Woodman was a prosperous businessman. But Alicia was not Humphrey's child and he would have nothing to do with her, and before long Elizabeth, too, turned her back on her daughter. It was left to Polly Ford, widow of a dock labourer, to bring Alicia up, to teach her to say 'Yes, Mama' and to give the child the love she so desperately needed. In a hypocritical society full of thin-lipped disapproval, Alicia would learn that the human spirit can soar over adversity and that, though blood may be thicker than water, love is the most powerful relationship of all...
Paperback
First published March 6, 2000
37 people are currently reading
195 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 16, 2008
A "reader" recommended I read this book after critiquing a portion of my novel-in-progress. I haven't read many late 19th C. books, but I must say that I did enjoy the read, and again,I "get" why she suggested it...:)
December 16, 2013
This has been on my "to read" list long before I had a Kindle! I found an old notebook and this was included in my list. The reviews at the time were excellent, and this book definitely is! Loved the story, 19th century upstairs, downstairs storyline that completely turns itself around. The unloved, isolated and ill treated daughter is a superb character, along with everyone else, big, bold characters so rich in description, and great insight into how the other halves lived. Great story.
May 13, 2014
This not being my usual genre of book, I didn't know what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised. I had me captivated from the first page.
A wonderful story spanning three decades , from the late 1800's to the first world war.
It takes the reader through life in the slums of Liverpool,the well to do classes and the hardship of Canada in those days.
All cleverly woven together, with a cast of believable characters who you get to know very well.
Was quite sad when it ended!
I was pleasantly surprised. I had me captivated from the first page.
A wonderful story spanning three decades , from the late 1800's to the first world war.
It takes the reader through life in the slums of Liverpool,the well to do classes and the hardship of Canada in those days.
All cleverly woven together, with a cast of believable characters who you get to know very well.
Was quite sad when it ended!
May 3, 2021
Although the book was not one I would necessarily have chosen to read, I quite enjoyed it.
It's strange reading of times where illegitimacy was regarded as a sin and the child treated with so much disrespect even by her mother.
It's strange reading of times where illegitimacy was regarded as a sin and the child treated with so much disrespect even by her mother.
Read
February 17, 2020See Liesbeth's review.
Set in the 1890s thru 1910 or therabouts. Alicia Beatrix Mary Woodman was born to Elizabeth and Humphrey, but was Andrew Crossing's child. Mr. Crossing, much to Elizabeth's sorrow and sadness, was seldom heard from again. Alicia was blond, VERY fair and wore glasses, unlike her parents. Her mother and father ignored her nearly completely, giving her to the care of Polly Ford, a servant. They had other children, Charles, Florence and a brother Edward, all of whom, tho living nearby (except for Edward) were no help to Alicia. There were the main servants, Polly and Fanny. The family was fairly well off.
Slowly, Alicia grows up. We learn, with her, how people live at that time in London, how it was in her family to be illegitimate, what the Queen(s) are doing (by way of placing the story in history) and what a sad, horrible live she leads. She is taught to say "Yes, Mama" and Yes Papa, is treated no better than Polly or Fanny, tho she had been sent to school for a bit. Papa has rages and beats her mother; that was the way of it at that time, in this book.
As the story progresses, Humphrey has a heart attack, Elizabeth becomes a drunk, then Humphrey has a stroke and Elizabeth becomes increasingly forgetful. She feels an inordinate duty of care toward her "parents", and stoically, soldiers on, taking care of them. There are bright spots; she gets to go to town, Uncle Harold Humphries (a brother), Dr. Bell and a neighbor all are symphathetic, and intervene helplessly, but until the last chapter or so, when an old friend, Billy Ford, Polly's brother, reappears, from Canada . . .well, do you get the picture?
Well written!
Set in the 1890s thru 1910 or therabouts. Alicia Beatrix Mary Woodman was born to Elizabeth and Humphrey, but was Andrew Crossing's child. Mr. Crossing, much to Elizabeth's sorrow and sadness, was seldom heard from again. Alicia was blond, VERY fair and wore glasses, unlike her parents. Her mother and father ignored her nearly completely, giving her to the care of Polly Ford, a servant. They had other children, Charles, Florence and a brother Edward, all of whom, tho living nearby (except for Edward) were no help to Alicia. There were the main servants, Polly and Fanny. The family was fairly well off.
Slowly, Alicia grows up. We learn, with her, how people live at that time in London, how it was in her family to be illegitimate, what the Queen(s) are doing (by way of placing the story in history) and what a sad, horrible live she leads. She is taught to say "Yes, Mama" and Yes Papa, is treated no better than Polly or Fanny, tho she had been sent to school for a bit. Papa has rages and beats her mother; that was the way of it at that time, in this book.
As the story progresses, Humphrey has a heart attack, Elizabeth becomes a drunk, then Humphrey has a stroke and Elizabeth becomes increasingly forgetful. She feels an inordinate duty of care toward her "parents", and stoically, soldiers on, taking care of them. There are bright spots; she gets to go to town, Uncle Harold Humphries (a brother), Dr. Bell and a neighbor all are symphathetic, and intervene helplessly, but until the last chapter or so, when an old friend, Billy Ford, Polly's brother, reappears, from Canada . . .well, do you get the picture?
Well written!
December 18, 2008
Loved this book - it was a really good read.
Back Cover Blurb:
Alicia Woodman was born into a home that should have been filled with comfort and joy. Her mother, Elizabeth was bright and vivacious, Humphrey Woodman was a prosperous businessman. But Alicia was not Humphrey's child and he would have nothing to do with her, and before long Elizabeth too, turned her back on her daughter. It was left to Polly Ford, widow of a dock labourer, to bring Alicia up, to teach her to say 'Yes, Mama' and to give the child the love she so desperately needed. In a hypocritical society full of thin-lipped disapproval Alicia would learn that the human spirit can soar over adversity and that, though blood may be thicker than water, love is the most powerful relationship of all.
Back Cover Blurb:
Alicia Woodman was born into a home that should have been filled with comfort and joy. Her mother, Elizabeth was bright and vivacious, Humphrey Woodman was a prosperous businessman. But Alicia was not Humphrey's child and he would have nothing to do with her, and before long Elizabeth too, turned her back on her daughter. It was left to Polly Ford, widow of a dock labourer, to bring Alicia up, to teach her to say 'Yes, Mama' and to give the child the love she so desperately needed. In a hypocritical society full of thin-lipped disapproval Alicia would learn that the human spirit can soar over adversity and that, though blood may be thicker than water, love is the most powerful relationship of all.
October 16, 2016
I read this on the kindle
I had read this many years ago in book form
It tells of a daughter who while born in a marriage is not the daughter of the husband & he knows this but to divorce his wife would be a scandal which would affect his business
It is set in the late 1800s early 1900s how she is looked after & loved by Polly the we nurse/servant who is more of a mother to her as she grows up
This is a good read especially if you like period reading
I had read this many years ago in book form
It tells of a daughter who while born in a marriage is not the daughter of the husband & he knows this but to divorce his wife would be a scandal which would affect his business
It is set in the late 1800s early 1900s how she is looked after & loved by Polly the we nurse/servant who is more of a mother to her as she grows up
This is a good read especially if you like period reading
October 2, 2016
An amazing story, sad at times but many happy moments too!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading this book. Full of family woes but many happy times too. Another great story from Helen Forrester!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading this book. Full of family woes but many happy times too. Another great story from Helen Forrester!
November 12, 2008
Interesting read!
A reflection of the various strata of society and their lifestyle in early 19th century.
A reflection of the various strata of society and their lifestyle in early 19th century.
April 15, 2013
This is an entertaining historical story that was a pleasant read.
May 23, 2015
I enjoyed this book although I felt it ended abruptly.
June 30, 2015
I enjoyed this book, really warmed to Alicia, and didn't like her mother!
March 4, 2026
This story takes place in the late 1800s. It’s interesting to observe the class system that was in Great Britain at the time. The monied class did not associate with the working class, and it was easy enough to be reassigned to a class system if you didn’t meet standards with regards to your birth. This is where our story begins when a baby is born into a family and the husband is not the father of that baby. Alicia is virtually raised by everyone but her mother; making this a heart rendering story.
Thank goodness Alicia is a scrappy little girl because she’s gonna need that feistiness to get through life.
Thank goodness Alicia is a scrappy little girl because she’s gonna need that feistiness to get through life.
February 13, 2021
Her books are well worth reading
January 30, 2024
Great story
A brilliant story but disappointed with the abrupt ending. The book cover does not match the story and should be changed back to the old picture.
A brilliant story but disappointed with the abrupt ending. The book cover does not match the story and should be changed back to the old picture.
February 18, 2021
Lovely story
Really enjoyable read
Good characters, with an interesting storyline, with a nice ending, showing the class system and poverty of the early 20 th century
Really enjoyable read
Good characters, with an interesting storyline, with a nice ending, showing the class system and poverty of the early 20 th century
July 24, 2014
An enjoyable book with a good story line which flowed well.
September 1, 2015
Just a good period read. Interesting characters and story.
Read
March 12, 2017Enjoy ed the book, but felt it dragged on in places. felt really sorry for Alicia and her mother Elizabeth. it must have been awful to have lived then, so many double standards.ok for the husband to have affairs, but not the wife!
when allie was growing up, it must have been an intolerable situation to live and an awful atmosphere.
I admired allie looking after her parents, with out the support of her siblings.
just felt a bit short changed at the end, that you didn't get to hear of their adventurers in Canada, unless there is another book I do not know about
when allie was growing up, it must have been an intolerable situation to live and an awful atmosphere.
I admired allie looking after her parents, with out the support of her siblings.
just felt a bit short changed at the end, that you didn't get to hear of their adventurers in Canada, unless there is another book I do not know about
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews