Chasing Tarzan

By: Catherine Forster

Narrated by: Jes Forrest

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.

©2022 Catherine Forster (P)2023 WiDo Publishing

Liked the book and loved the narration

Story started slow but definitely set the tone for the rest of the book. Loved how Jess the narrator gave each character a voice and even mastered the accents. Hopefully the readers will learn about the effects of bullying.