Canonical name: Van Slyke, Helen
Other names: Aston, Sharon
Birthdate: 1920
Date of death: 1979
Gender: female
Occupations: businesswoman
Organizations: Helena Rubinstein
Short biography: Helen Van Slyke, 59, businesswoman turned bestselling novelist; after a brief illness; in New York City. Van Slyke headed the fashion section of the Washington Star at age 19, eventually becoming a vice president at Helena Rubinstein. Adept at identifying women's tastes, she decided in 1970 to apply her talent to writing. Van Slyke produced eight hugely successful modern romances, including the current blockbuster A Necessary Woman, devised, she said, for "blue-haired ladies in the cocktail hour of life."
Nationality: USA
Associated Place (for map): USA

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13 reviews

JenniferRobb 2,855 reviews

Always is Not Forever by Helen Van Slyke

This book was free at a local book sale place a number of months ago. The novel defies a quick description. It's part soap opera, part romance, part tragic. Basically it's the story of two flawed people who fall in love. One is from a dysfunctional family and the other from a loving one. Both must work through their flaws to develop a true and lasting love.

That said--I'm not sure I understand Susan's devotion to Richard. I at one point loved an artistic man (who did not love me in return), show more and at times, I thanked God that he did not love me in return because (now in retrospect) I could easily see how this book could mirror life with him. I don't think I could have put up with everything Susan did and stayed with him, still thinking that I loved him.

I also don't think the author's style is all that great. There's a good deal more telling than showing in her narrative. show less

May 17, 2017

LadyLo 502 reviews

Sisters and Strangers by Helen Van Slyke

Seeking light entertainment over the summer I re-read some of my old paperback novels from the 1970s. "Sisters and Strangers" is about a family reunion. Sparked by the 50 year wedding anniversary of Sam and Laura Dalton, their three daughters come home for a celebration. It has been 30 years since the family was all together. And that was by choice. The sisters (now in their 40s) never did get along with each other that well, and all took different paths in life - different cities, different show more life-styles, and the one thing they shared in common was almost no desire to reconnect with childhood memories.

The story touches on critical issues women faced in that era, including: aging (for the mother), young pregnancy, raising children, unhappy marriage, and divorce. In other words the issues are still the same, but the way they were handled back in those days was sometimes quite different from now.

Helen Van Slyke has a nice writing style and the plot is suspenseful. So you are probably wondering - why only 3-1/2 Stars. The plot was a little over the top - too much happens for one family in one story: murder, suicide, divorce, affairs, and a gay child (which back in the 1970s was a big deal - and cause for a lot of disruption and controversy in a family). All in all it was too much drama. It sure made for an interesting read though. show less

Oct 9, 20221 other review

wareagle78 568 reviews

A Necessary Woman by Helen Van Slyke

A book probably very relevant in the late 70's, when it was set. A 39-yo career woman in a dead marriage, wanting to not be the strong one in the relationship anymore, agonizes over leaving her husband. In the meantime, her niece tries to convert a homosexual man into being straight, becoming pregnant in the process. The story is set on a Pacific cruise, then in San Francisco. The characters are interesting, and I enjoyed the peek into the Asia of that day, but the story just underscored how show more times have indeed changed. show less

Feb 3, 20141 other review

psherman 25 reviews

The Heart Listens by Helen Van Slyke

I'm baffled how someone could give this 2 stars, but tastes differ. This is an older book, published in the early 70's. Aside from the lack of cell phone and computer references, I found that it held up excellently, seems very timely. I love books like this that follow one person through a long and eventful life, and Helen Van Slyke is an excellent writer. The narrative flows at a good pace, there were no dead spots in the book. I am now faced with that familiar problem of finishing a show more wonderful book and having to find something to follow it with. I recommend this book. show less

Oct 22, 2014

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