Description:
In the 1960s, a relentless school bully makes Catherine's life a living hell. She retreats inward, relying on a rich fantasy life--swinging through the jungle wrapped in Tarzan's protective arms--and fervent prayers to a God she does not trust. She fasts until she feels faint, she ties a rough rope around her waist as penance, hoping God will see her worthy of His help.
As the second of eight children, Catherine is Mommy's little helper, and like Mommy, Catherine is overwhelmed. The bullying and the adult responsibilities together foment her anger. She starts smacking her siblings, and becomes her younger sister's nemesis. Spooked by who she is becoming, Catherine vows to escape for real, before she hurts someone-or herself.
Catherine finds salvation in a high school exchange program: new town, new school, new family, new persona. A passport celebrity. In New Zealand, nobody knows her history or her fears. Except for her Kiwi "mum," who sees through Catherine's façade and pulls her out from her inner safe-house.
Exposed, her sense of self implodes. Catherine must finally rethink who she is.
Review Quotes:
"A candid and keenly observed story of childhood trauma and its ripple effects, Chasing Tarzan is by turns heartrending and inspirational, told with a straightforward honesty....an insightful and resonant read." (Edward Sung for IndieReader)
"This work is packed with vivid vignettes from Forster's fantasy life alongside real-life moments in her childhood....An eloquent remembrance delivered with visceral emotion." Kirkus Reviews
"moving and captivating coming-of-age meets memoir narrative" (Author Anthony Avila)
"tough, tender, and effervescent, features an impressive command of the language plus careful attention to detail" (Pages & Paws)
"At times I forgot I was reading about someone's true life story... it felt like a novel." (Why Not Because I Said So book review blog)
"Forster does an amazing job of bringing scenes from her childhood to life, evoking strong emotions" (The Faerie Review)