The Diary of Iris Vaughan

by Iris Vaughan, Peter Midgley

Iris Vaughan's Diary, begun when Vaughan was only seven, is as much autobiography as Diary. It also gives a charming, keenly observed and brilliantly amusing picture of colonial Africa as Victorianism made way for the twentieth century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

Paperback

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.