Chasing Tarzan

Catherine Forster's compelling memoir on surviving bullying and finding her true identity

A journey of resilience

From escaping into a self-created world of fantasy to finally returning home.

In the 1960s, young Catherine was subjected to relentless abuse at school. As a way to cope, she turns inward and creates a rich fantasy life in which she swings through the jungle with Tarzan, her favorite matinee action movie hero.

At the same time, Catherine is overwhelmed by adult responsibilities as the second of eight children and burdened with caring for her younger siblings as “Mommy’s little helper.”

Pushed to her emotional limits, she becomes angry and lashes out at her siblings, particularly her younger sister.

Concerned with the person she is becoming, Catherine decides to escape for real before she ends up hurting someone or herself.

She finds salvation in a high school exchange program that allows her to create a new identity in a new town, school, family, and country.

She becomes a “passport celebrity” in New Zealand, where no one knows about her history. However, her host mother, or “Kiwi mum,” sees through Catherine’s façade, helping her find the strength and courage to face her fears and embrace her true self.

“A no holds barred approach on bullying, peppered with humor and inspiration…”

At its core, Chasing Tarzan is also about the complex relationship between mothers and daughters – in this case, two mothers, one who raised Catherine and another who saved her!

For teens suffering from bullying, for young women still suffering its wounds and for parents who wish to support their children, Chasing Tarzan is a must read!

Embark on a transformational journey of determination, resilience, and self-actualization.

An Excerpt

“Next,” Sister said, pointing her pencil at me.

We were stuck in mindless review, Sister hammering fifth-grade math back into our vacant summer heads. I was ready for sixth-grade material, but she wasn’t––not yet. Stepping up to the blackboard, I grabbed a long piece of chalk, turned around, and faced her. She paused before announcing my challenge, and I could tell she was thinking up a hard one.

“Five-hundred-and-forty-six times forty-two.”

I wrote the problem on the board and drew a line under it.

“Hey, Porky.” Hunter hissed, for my ears only. “You’ll never get it.”

Continue reading the excerpt▸

What others are saying

Full 1

“A detailed memoir of a childhood and adolescence marked by the effects of bullying. This work is packed with vivid vignettes from Forster's fantasy life alongside real-life moments in her childhood.

Readers may be as pleasantly surprised, as a gregarious, popular, and socially adept teenager emerges out of the shell she’d carefully constructed. An eloquent remembrance delivered with visceral emotion.”

– Kirkus Reviews

Full 1

“I did not want to put this book down!
The storytelling is captivating and emotional right from the beginning. At times I wanted to cry for the author. Her story is laid right out, open and honest.

You definitely don't wanna miss out on this book if you love biographies. I was totally sucked into the world, as if I were living it myself. The way emotions are described or certain scenes were told completely brought this story to life. I have an inner perception of myself and personally this book was, in a way, a comfort knowing I'm not alone in some of those feelings.
Definitely give this one a read!”

– Adrien Weinhoffer

Full 1

“A candid and keenly observed story of childhood trauma and its ripple effects, Catherine Forster's CHASING TARZAN is by turns heartrending and inspirational, told with a straightforward honesty that never becomes trite or emotionally manipulative.”

– Edward Sung for IndieReader

Full 1

“I found Chasing Tarzan a remarkable story about resilience and bravery. Catherine’s journey captivated me from the first page until the last and left me wanting a sequel or more chapters.
Being bullied can leave life long scars, I hope this book reaches kids and adults everywhere. It’s funny and sad and loving and honest. Such a great read.”

– Kathleem Campbell

Full 1

"Chasing Tarzan is a testament to the power of resilience and the damaging effects of bullying. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt, bullying, or a lack of support."

– Salma

Full 1

"A challenging and uplifting memoir. The author's writing style opens the door to her challenging childhood and to an inspiring story of how she overcame the issues that she faced prior to a life-changing move to New Zealand. The author's writing is honest, raw and open. She doesn't invite the reader's pity but the story that she lays out is very relatable (and may challenge those who struggle with these issues in their own lives).

– Sarah

“To my readers, know you have the potential to change a child’s trajectory; and to those who have suffered bullying, know that this was abuse, and you are a survivor."

– Catherine Forster, Chasing Tarzan

The book excavates Catherine’s childhood revealing the role that imagination plays when there is no other means to escape. With straightforward honesty and authenticity, the author throws light upon these three key areas:

CHILDHOOD IMAGINATION

At school, Catherine faces relentless abuse based on her weight and turns to fantasy as an escape route. She idolizes Tarzan as her savior who can redeem her from her predicaments. It also turns out that Tarzan is her favorite action-movie hero. This fantasy world gives her solace although it does not change anything.

LONG-TERM Effects of bullying

Childhood trauma leads Catherine to form an emotional wall so that her tormentor cannot reach her. Little does she realize that no one else can reach her either. As a young woman, she needs to find a way to open up about her fears, accept herself, and find her true inner voice.

MOther-daughter relationship

As the second of eight children and Mommy’s little helper, Catherine is as overwhelmed as her mother. It is only when she meets her new mother in a new state, country, and town, does she self-actualize and is pulled out from her inner safe-house.

Get ready for an intricate and gripping coming-of-age tale that will inspire you to be a champion advocate against bullying and support those who need you.

Full 1

“Reading this book was hard for me because Charlie was bullied in Elementary school, and he didn’t have anyone to protect him. Throughout the book I could feel myself in her shoes and also see how Charlie felt when this was happening to him.

If you have a Teenager going into Middle School or High School, I suggest you take the time to read Tarzan’s together. Then discuss what happened and how they would handle the same things. Which will prepare them for what ever happens in school. As well as showing them its okay to tell someone and not keep everything inside which isn’t Healthy.”

– Glenda Cates, The Mommies Rev.

Full 1

“I experienced a range of emotions while I read this book, from delight to joy to rage to grief to happiness. When she was unable to stand up to individuals who were bullying her, I would be unhappy for her. I would be upset with her parents since they could have taken more action than just telling her to ignore the bully. I wished they had gone to the school to assault Hunter or, even better, that they had kept an eye out for Steve to prevent him from torturing Catherine at home.

When she eventually found her own path, especially after shrugging off Hunter's criticism, I was delighted. I felt like her cheerleader as I read, especially when she became intensely focused on pulling off an impossible achievement. That chapter gave me a lot to learn. Not all dreams can come true. We simply need to put forth the necessary effort. “

– Temi Book, OnlineBookClub.org

Full 1

“Loved it! 😍

Tough & tender, this sturdy coming-of-age tale opens a window into the heart & soul of a bullying survivor & offers a way out of the jungle. This book has much to offer: Honesty and authenticity. Angst and anxiety. Disappointment and heartbreak. Tears and triumph. Love, laughter, and family. An in-depth look at the effects of bullying. All wrapped in an articulate and tightly written narrative that’s as bright as a Washington sunrise after months of rain.This is a thoughtful, compelling read. I read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. You probably will, too.”

– Kristine L., Reedsy

This book is for you if you are:

Catherine Forster honed her powers of imagination early on and later applied them to artistic endeavors

As an artist, her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States and abroad. Her experimental films have won accolades and awards and have screened in more than thirty international film festivals, from Sao Paulo to Berlin, Los Angeles to Rome, London to Romania. Through her work, she explores the dynamics of girlhood, notions of identity, and the role technology plays in our relationship with nature.

The rekindling of her own memories of being bullied and her daughter’s struggle with her tormentors inspired ‘Chasing Tarzan’.

Like many children, young Catherine was told that bullying was a fact of life, part of growing up, that one needs to be stronger. It was a different time then, but now, in the age of zero-tolerance bullying programs, why was her daughter a target?

Catherine promised the day her daughter was born that she would not let her suffer in the hands of bullies. But when the time came, she was powerless to stop it.

In the beginning, Forster wrote the book for her daughter, so she would know she was not alone or deserved cruel treatment. Her writing group later helped her recognize the universal themes of Chasing Tarzan. Through them, she took on the challenge of reaching all those who need this book.

Know more about Catherine Forster here.

“I wish I had a magic wand to end this pervasive menace. I don’t have the answer. The one act that can make a difference is advocacy. Be a champion. On a bad day, a kind word can make all the difference in a child’s life.”

– Catherine Forster

Chasing Tarzan

Catherine Forster's compelling memoir on surviving bullying and finding her true identity

A journey of resilience

“A no holds barred approach on bullying, peppered with humor and inspiration…”

An Excerpt

“Next,” Sister said, pointing her pencil at me.

“Five-hundred-and-forty-six times forty-two.”

I wrote the problem on the board and drew a line under it.

“Hey, Porky.” Hunter hissed, for my ears only. “You’ll never get it.”

Continue reading the excerpt▸

What others are saying

“To my readers, know you have the potential to change a child’s trajectory; and to those who have suffered bullying, know that this was abuse, and you are a survivor."

– Catherine Forster, Chasing Tarzan

CHILDHOOD IMAGINATION

LONG-TERM Effects of bullying

MOther-daughter relationship

This book is for you if you are:

“I wish I had a magic wand to end this pervasive menace. I don’t have the answer. The one act that can make a difference is advocacy. Be a champion. On a bad day, a kind word can make all the difference in a child’s life.”– Catherine Forster

Copyright © 2023 Catherine Forster | All Rights Reserved

“I wish I had a magic wand to end this pervasive menace. I don’t have the answer. The one act that can make a difference is advocacy. Be a champion. On a bad day, a kind word can make all the difference in a child’s life.”

– Catherine Forster