A poetic memoir that delightfully and movingly celebrates our common humanity
Family and More is a beautifully lyrical collection of verse, in which Helena Harper recalls the people who have touched her life and taught her precious life lessons. As the daughter of a German mother and English father, who met in Hamburg at the end of World War II, she explores notions of national and emotional boundaries, the horrors of war, self-discovery and love, returning time and again to that oldest and most emotive of themes: the infinite power of the human spirit.
Besides heartwarming tributes to both parents, she describes the exploits and personalities of various German and English relatives, from her gifted, energetic maternal grandmother and heroic maternal grandfather whom she never met, to her two uncles, 'human and fallible both' – the hard-working, sun-loving German one, who nearly died at Stalingrad, and the charismatic, conservative English one. A much loved colleague, a devoted physiotherapist and difficult boss are also amongst the people described.
Many of the people she writes about are now dead, but as you read this collection you will notice that what stands out above all is a sense of life-affirming love and optimism. You are left at the end knowing that every encounter we have in life can be a force for good and, if we see with the heart, our man-made divisions will seem both absurd and insignificant. A moving celebration of our common humanity.
CONTENT
The Baby — a small champion for a new way, a new life, a new world of humanity? A sign of hope that in the future we can finally be free from our present, crazy, violent insanity?
The Mother — refusing to wallow in past tragedies, disappointments and strife, living out the autumn of her life in a blaze of vibrant colour...
The Father — insatiable curiosity driving him to devour books galore on history and science, philosophy and war...
The Grandmother — a gifted, smiling soul, spreading love and happiness to all, making the best of everything meeting her in life’s rich, unpredictable ball...
The Grandfather — and so he leaves this life on an obscure Russian field for a cause lost in the realms of time, his coffin the mud, his grave the blown-up earth...
The Foreign Uncle — washing each morning the body in snows of freezing, glacial white; “Crazy Harry!” the others say, but it saves him from ghastly frostbite...
The English Uncle — a man not tolerant of fools, but with the ladies a favourite, make no doubt — see, they all come running when he shouts!
The Adopted Aunt (not available in pdf ebook)– perfectly at home on those roaring two-wheeled machines, clad in helmet and leathers, racing round Brooklands at incredible speed, models of skill and consummate ease – world records broken, an awesome feat and wasn't it a breeze?
The Elder Sister — a humble, compassionate soul instinctively in touch with her nature purely divine, a privilege indeed to call her a sister of mine
The Brother-in-Law — proud school governor, then local councillor, occupations well-suited to a man with numberless acquaintances and a propensity to talk nigh on incessantly
The Niece — she’ll gladly give all a go, exploring possibilities infinitely diverse, so she can give latent, hidden talents a chance to unfold and grow
The Nephew — a big baby with a big appetite, so different from the sister...enthusiasm glowing in the face, enjoyment pouring from the eyes, everyday commonplace sights simply marvellous delights...
The Colleague — faithful, quiet and diligent, modest, unassuming, reliable and efficient
The Boss — acting perhaps would have suited her more, for sincerity is not a trait that brands this soul...organised and efficient? Don’t make me laugh!...
The Physiotherapist — a teddy bear of a man with face soft and round, healing hands flowing up and down the spine...if we all gave of ourselves as this man does, imagine the world we would create! Each of us treating strangers as our other half, where selfishness was forgotten, a thing of the past...
The Massage Therapist — every thought word and action designed to meet her children’s needs, yet now despite it all the heart tears apart and bleeds…
The Tennis Director — the once lithe, young body of twenty or so years marked now by middle-age spread and dubious knees...
ALSO AVAILABLE ON KINDLE ON AMAZON.COM AND AMAZON.CO.UK
Excerpt
THE ENGLISH UNCLE
A younger brother of the father,
tall and slim,
good-looking to boot,
charming, sophisticated,
intelligent, too,
witticisms rolling from the tongue
that cuts like ice when the mood strikes,
a man not tolerant of fools,
but with the ladies a favorite,
make no doubt,
see — they all come running
when he shouts!
A military career he has,
like the elder brother before,
but him it fits like a glove,
for conservative he is in attitude and taste
and to conform is not a hard task.
His interests are “right” and proper
for a gentleman officer —
rugby and sport of all kinds,
that’s what he enjoys and likes,
not engines and cars and
racing dirty motorbikes!
So superiors smile
and enable the young man
to get on well and quick,
and the elder brother looks on,
eyes spiced with an envious gleam:
“That’s typical Joe for you,
everything falls right into his lap,
absolutely bang on cue.”
He marries at last,
the pick of the bunch most certainly his,
but in the end to family pressure he bows,
wedding a girl known for years
from just across the street,
a marriage of convenience in fact,
no great passionate affair,
but they rub along as friends,
for to Joe it would be unheard of
to break the marriage bonds.
A successful career at an end,
retiring to a spacious house
by the sea
with Peggy, his wife,
and Jasper, the dog,
a wonderful, lovable Labrador,
to lead a life of leisure,
worry-free,
for there are no children to concern,
and money abounds
from an army pension generous
and the wife’s family
successful in the brewing business.
In this retired retreat his nieces visit,
children of that rebel, elder brother,
and see an uncle tall and fit,
sailing and golfing away the hours,
a witty, interesting, likable man,
though a paragon he certainly is not.
Had he fought against
that foreign uncle on some distant shore
during those warring days?
And being on victory’s side
is deserving of a niece’s love
whilst the other must be despised?
If this is nonsense then war is, too,
for the niece sees but family:
two men,
human and fallible both,
yet each worthy in equal measure
of friendship and true affection.
Aunt Peggy appears,
short and rotund,
a contrast so huge and immense
to the husband of elegance,
but a cheerful, gentle-hearted soul she is,
full of generosity and kindness.
But it isn’t long
before health and heart fail,
leaving a husband saddened
and dog with downcast tail.
After a while a new female companion,
but a second marriage
is not this uncle’s cup of tea.
And then the news is heard —
he’s dying of cancer,
it’s gone too far,
it seems that this time
the good fortune of earlier years
has walked out the door
and left it ajar.
But there’s still time
for the two brothers to spend together,
revisiting the haunts of their youth,
and part not just as brothers but as friends,
petty jealousies and discord forgotten
in the warmth of brotherly companionship
and common memories of play and laughter,
enjoying mutual stimulation
from engaged and active minds.
We none of us know
when the ultimate sunset will come —
surely then we should strive
to put old scores to rest
at the first chance we get,
so we can leave this world with
the heart securely set
on harmony, love and peace,
having caused hostility, alienation,
hatred and anger to cease.
The news comes
of the uncle’s death,
but the brother hears it not,
for already he lies unconscious
in that hospital in London,
taking his own slow leave of life.
Yet there are numerous ways to communicate
and it seems perhaps the brother has “heard”,
for a week later he too says
his last, final farewell.
The conformist and rebel
once more together
in true brotherly accord?
Who amongst us can tell?
A wonderful poetic story. Reviewed by Karen Cioffi, DKV Writing 4 U
"Family and More – Enemies or Friends?" is more than a collection of poems, it is a story I enjoyed and learned from. As you read this book, it becomes clear that the author put a great deal of time and effort into the choice of every word used. Each poem has a melodic flow that moves smoothly into the next.
"Family and More" enlightens the reader to the conflicts and confusion that exist in a family divided by war. Being the child of a German mother and English father in the aftermath of WWII, the author delves into her family’s history by examining the lives of several family members as well as other personal relationships. Each poem is an intertwined life. With descriptive imagery these people come alive; you see their struggles and triumphs.
This wonderful poetic story goes beyond a family history; it depicts the futility, frustration and hardship of war, along with the frailties and strengths of the people that make up each of our families.
"Family and More – Enemies or Friends?" is a beautifully written book. I highly recommend it.
Karen Cioffi, Author and Freelance Writer
DKV Writing 4 U (http://dkvwriting4u.com)
http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com
Co-author of Day’s End Lullaby
A tribute, a family portrait, a synopsis of life. Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
"Family and More", a book of poetry by Helena Harper, is like a poetic synopsis of a wartime saga, the life of a family with a backdrop of history, a memoir told in poetic blurbs. The author encapsulates characters and events breathtakingly. There is so much here to think about once one turns the last page. I was left wanting more! More! Though I love poetry, I'm looking forward to the literary (poetic!) novel (or novels!) where Harper could explore the nuances of each and every memory, hook them together, let us see the relationships, the interaction, the settings, one poignant scene at a time.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Multi-award winning writer of fiction and poet
http://www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
A delightful trip for poetry lovers and a rare tribute to family and friends. Reviewed by Glenda Bixler, IP Book Reviewers
Helena Harper’s poetry book, Family and More, is autobiographical, but that does not detract from the feelings it engenders from readers! We are able to empathize with the author when she asks, which is my enemy? We are able to enjoy the stories she poetically shares about her family. Personally, I was, overall, impressed with the quality to the poetry and the skill that would be required to share these personal tales!
For indeed they are tales—the tale of her grandparents, her parents, and of herself as a baby. Surely we immediately know that Helena’s father is English and they were living there in England when she was born. And they were already hoping and praying that no war—no bombs or guns would invade the life of their child. Would their daughter be a symbol of hope for the future?
Soon we learn that Helena’s mother is from Germany and how that country was in her youth, only to have war enter that picture and the need to leave their country and escape, enduring “soup of water” for lunch or no food at all. Then we see the courageous woman grow and flourish, even while still under duress.
Will those of us who have never experienced war ever really understand? I think we can begin to by reading the words of those who are willing to share them so revealingly...
On she goes to share of her father, her grandmother, and even of her grandfather whom she had never known. Yet her love shines through as she has gathered information and placed it carefully together to both learn of and tell others of his life.
I found myself in the story of “The Colleague,” as I remembered the woman who was my first mentor and who has remained my best friend for over 40 years!
"...showing the way to a younger one
with new ideas
but just three years under her belt.
A gentle manner guiding the younger
and an open mind willingly receiving..."
And, alas, I also could well relate to “The Boss,” that individual—or worse—those individuals we all have in our lives who turn out to be “a devil in disguise, ready to stab you in the back...”
Harper then includes medical staff, coaches, etc., who have supported her in some way! Surely, Family and More by Helena Harper is a rare tribute; however, it is also a sharing of poetic words that are both beautiful and thought provoking in how we should remember and realize the impact of family and friends...and even an enemy or two. A delightful trip for poetry lovers as well as those who wish to remember their own families through the experiences of others.
Join me as we travel together on the road called "Aging." I will be sharing my personal experiences with you and offer ideas on how we can better navigate the complex byways of our older years. Grief, healing, generations, ancestors, and more.
