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Diary of a Provincial Lady - request for more diary books

36 replies

Trills · 20/12/2014 16:08

I was recommended this by a friend while on holiday and loved it.

Full set 77p on Kindle

I'd be very surprised if Helen Fielding has not read it - some of the turns of phrase are rather Bridget-Jones-ish.

I'd now really like to read more only-mildly-fictional diary-style books, because I very much enjoyed hearing more about everyday life in the 20s and 30s, and think it a fun way to learn more "history".

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
toothlessoldhag · 26/12/2014 08:45

Great question OP - I hadn't heard of some of these. Nb. I just found 'diary of a nobody' as a radio podcast:
itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-nobody-by-george-grossmith/id866416774?mt=2 no idea if it's good, but I'll report back Wink

toothlessoldhag · 26/12/2014 10:43

OK. I've heard a snippet. Ignore me. I've heard better readings!

chopinbabe · 26/12/2014 22:52

The Eliza Stories are by Barry Pain written at the turn of the last century. They aren't diaries as such but a selection of consecutive events told in the first person by Eliza's husband.

A bit more bite than the gentle Mr Pooter but excellent. Nothing much happens but they are very funny.

emeline · 26/12/2014 22:55

Found one episode of The Eliza Stories on YouTube. Loved it!

They don't seem to be on iplayer anymore.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 06/01/2015 19:48

Thegoose I am sure the edition of The Diary of a Farmer's Wife (sic) I gave my mother some twenty-five years ago had a preface which gently debunked its authenticity, with the "editor's" daughter remembering her mother writing it as much as editing it?

In a similar vein, The Diary of a Young Lady of Fashion 1763-65 by Cleone Know.

Takver · 08/01/2015 14:51

Following the fanfic thread, Provincial Lady lovers might be amused by this

WhiteHairReally · 08/01/2015 23:43

The Diary of Augustus Carp by Himself. V V funny. I haven't checked whether it's in print/available electronically though. First came across it on Radio 4 back in the 80s. A favourite of Robert Robinson. Set in late C19th.

tobee · 15/01/2015 15:25

Just started Provincial Daughter - already love it!

BestIsWest · 15/01/2015 15:27

Agree with Diary of an Ordinary Lady by Margaret Forster.

BestIsWest · 15/01/2015 15:33

Asta's Book by Barbara Vine. Part diary, part murder mystery. Probably my second favourite book ever.

Lilymaid · 15/01/2015 15:39

Love Lessons and Love is Blue by Joan Wyndham. Wartime diary of a posh bohemian girl. Not yet on Kindle, unfortunately.

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