In Conversation With...Dinah Jefferies
woman & home South Africa|July 2017

The bestselling author talks to us about experiences that inspired her writing, having her first book published at 60, and her new novel Before the Rains

Fanny Blake
In Conversation With...Dinah Jefferies
Dinah, 68, was born in Malaysia, but moved to England when she was nine. She has a daughter, Laurel, and two grandchildren. Her son died in a tragic accident. Dinah lives with her second husband, Richard, and their Norfolk terrier, Teddy. I had a happy childhood in Malaysia, where my father restored postal systems destroyed during the Second World War. My younger sister and I would run around in our underwear and flip flops at home. I found it very difficult when we moved to England. It was as if a curtain had come down and Malaysia was gone. I was nine and expected to be English, but I felt very alien. It can’t be an accident that being an outsider is part of what I write about. They say those early years are the key to what people write and, in my case, I think it’s true.

While I was at university, I fell pregnant.

Jamie was born one year before my finals. Although I was living with his father, it was difficult as there was no such thing as a crèche back then. I remember the bucket of nappies in the backyard and no washing machine– yet somehow I managed to pass!

But by the time I graduated, Jamie’s father and I had split up. It was all too much. Without a job, I ended up living in a commune with a band, which actually suited me as a single parent, in that there was constant company and the children always had somebody to play with. At the same time, it was quite old-fashioned. The men were mostly on the road with the band, and the women were the ones doing the gardening and looking after the goats and baking bread. I was never a real hippy. For me that was simply a period when I did something different. In some ways I’m unconventional, but in others I’m very conventional.  

Bu hikaye woman & home South Africa dergisinin July 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye woman & home South Africa dergisinin July 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

WOMAN & HOME SOUTH AFRICA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Dive into THE INDIAN OCEAN
woman & home South Africa

Dive into THE INDIAN OCEAN

With turquoise waters and sublime beaches, the Indian Ocean feels like paradise. Our writers test drive resorts to help you find your dream break

time-read
7 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
The Little Town With A BIG PUNCH
woman & home South Africa

The Little Town With A BIG PUNCH

Wellington is a place of rolling hills and sunshine, good for fruit and wine. Especially wine, as Lorraine Kearney tells it

time-read
4 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
COME ON OVER!
woman & home South Africa

COME ON OVER!

After the formality of the big day, relax and tuck into our Boxing Day spread

time-read
8 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
CHRISTMAS TREES with a trist
woman & home South Africa

CHRISTMAS TREES with a trist

If a faux Christmas tree is not your style and the thought of tossing a fresh one once the decorations come down makes you feel uneasy, don't fret! These solutions will have the festive vibes going throughout the year

time-read
1 min  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
No Place LIKE HOME
woman & home South Africa

No Place LIKE HOME

The joy of togetherness is woven into every element of this sparkling abode

time-read
3 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
Don't feel guilty for TAKING A WEEK OFF
woman & home South Africa

Don't feel guilty for TAKING A WEEK OFF

This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on why Christmas doesn't have to derail your goals

time-read
2 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
The cures of CHRISTMAS
woman & home South Africa

The cures of CHRISTMAS

Lost your festive spirit? Here's our alternative take on the popular song, with 12 easy remedies

time-read
4 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
Papering OVER THE CRACKS
woman & home South Africa

Papering OVER THE CRACKS

The holiday season can take its toll on your relationship - but how can you tell if it's unsalvageable or just seasonal stress?

time-read
5 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
This is YOUR BODY
woman & home South Africa

This is YOUR BODY

And this is your body at the end of the summer holidays

time-read
3 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024
UNDER the tree
woman & home South Africa

UNDER the tree

Make Christmas gifting easy with our selection of great festive ideas

time-read
5 dak  |
Woman&Home; December 2024