The diary of Delia : Being a veracious chronicle of the kitchen, with some side-lights on the parlour
by Onoto Watanna (1875–1954)
- Free to read
- 2 hours to read
- 31 chapters
- Reading level: 5th grade
"The Diary of Delia: Being a Veracious Chronicle of the Kitchen" by Onoto Watanna is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story takes place in a domestic setting and presents itself through the eyes of Delia O'Mally, a working-class kitchen maid navigating her life and the eccentricities of the family she serves. With a blend of humor and realism, the book likely explores themes of social class, gender roles, and the struggles of domestic life. The opening of "The Diary of Delia" introduces us to Delia as she goes about her morning routine in the household of the Wolley family. We witness her interactions with the various family members, each characterized by their own quirks, particularly Mr. John, whose lack of appreciation for her hard work frustrates her. The initial chapters showcase Delia's strong personality and her conflicts arising from the family's demands, particularly regarding breakfast and her responsibilities. Through Delia's voice, filled with wit and a touch of Irish charm, the reader is drawn into her day-to-day experiences as she contemplates her worth and the dynamics of the household, setting the stage for her further adventures and thoughts on finding her place in the world.
- Diary fiction
- Household employees
- Canadian fiction · 20th century
Read the opening
Chapter I
I got up at siven. Washed. Dressed. Made me bed. I set the kittle on the gas stove and then furyissly rung the brikfust bell. The famly begun to get up about 9. Mr. John was the first to ate. He guv a look sideways at the appytising eggs befure him and the luvly staming coffee and thin wid a shuv pooshed thim aside. He tuk up his paper and begun to reed ignoaring me and the brikfust as if we wus durt. Me mouth being open I spoke up.
“Won’t you be after ating this morning” says I.
“Its all rite” says he. “Its all rite Delia.”
I lingered hoping to help him a bit. He russelled up the paper the way he has of doing when provoaked and says in that cam and gintle way he talks when turribly excited:
“Delia—what are you waiting for?”
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About this edition
This free edition of The diary of Delia : Being a veracious chronicle of the kitchen, with some side-lights on the parlour by Onoto Watanna comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #61238, released 2020-01-25. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Humour, Novels, British Literature.
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