The Diary Of Iris Vaughan

by Iris Vaughan

This South African classic is the delightful, true diary of a young girl between the ages of about eight and twelve years at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is unintentionally hilarious and retains all the spelling errors of the original. Iris's father was a magistrate stationed in various small towns in the Eastern Cape, and the diary gives the reader an enchanting view of small-town life in the Cape Colony through the eyes of a perceptive young girl who tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God, in a way that often lands her in trubbel. The context of this diry, diery, diray book is particular, but its innocence, humour and child-centred truth is universal. It is an unforgettable read, demonstrating that truth is not only stranger, but often more amusing than fiction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

99 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Iris Vaughan started writing as a young girl during the time of the Anglo-Boer War, in what is today the Eastern Cape. Because she was very outspoken and often embarrassed her magistrate father, he gave her a diary so that she could write her thoughts down instead of speaking them. Later she also wrote novels, but it is her diary that is best known today.

Reviews

[Carolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by Iris Vaughan at about the age of 10 to 14, it chronicles the life of her family in the Eastern Cape from about 1899 - 1904. Her father was a magistrate, so the family moved whenever he was posted to a new town. The book covers memories from Cradock, Maraisburg, Adelaide and Fort Beaufort. Told with the innocence and honesty of a child, it provides an interesting view on the attitude of society and daily life of the time.

[Trisa Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read!

[Jolana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diary of an English girl growing up in the Karoo during the Boer War. It is hilarious and heart-warming.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing (apparently true) diary of a young girl in South Africa during the Boer War. Very funny in places, and rather enlightening as to the time.

I love the illustrations by J.H. Jackson.

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting read with a wonderful window on a world long gone.