author
Mrs. Annie Martin
A lively firsthand account of settler life in South Africa, this little-known writer is remembered for turning the unusual world of ostrich farming into an engaging personal narrative. Her work mixes everyday domestic detail with sharp observations about animals, landscape, and colonial life.
1 Audiobook
Home Life on an Ostrich Farm
by Mrs. Annie Martin
About the author
Little is clearly documented online about Mrs. Annie Martin beyond her surviving book, Home Life on an Ostrich Farm. Project Gutenberg lists her as the author of that work, which presents her experiences on an ostrich farm in South Africa in a warm, personal style.
The book stands out as a memoir-like glimpse into a very specific way of life: raising ostriches, managing a household, and adapting to the challenges and curiosities of rural farm living. What makes her writing appealing is its directness — it feels practical, observant, and close to daily experience rather than distant or formal.
Because reliable biographical details about her are scarce, she remains a somewhat mysterious figure. Still, her book preserves a distinctive voice and offers modern readers an unusual window into colonial-era domestic and farming life.