Press Release: The Pink Prison by Mandy van Oudtshoorn

Just Done Productions – Publishing have just published The Pink Prison by Mandy van Oudtshoorn. This book is based on the author’s boarding school diaries. This book reflects what life was like for a white teenage girl in the 1980s - the fashion, movies, music and TV programmes (‘Pop Shop’ and ‘Magnum PI’ to name a few) and the issues confronted by teenagers from sex to religion.

 

The year is 1984 and Molly van Oudheusden, a thirteen year old girl is being sent from an apple farm in Elgin to a boarding school in Stellenbosch for the first time. She has decided to write a diary to her long lost cat Waffles. Molly has many hilarious experiences throughout the year, which all form part of growing up.

Her sister, Crystal, has been in the boarding school (Pink Prison) for two years already and helps make the transition from small village school to big town school a bit easier. Throughout the year Molly discovers boys and that life can be extremely complicated. She has her first real kiss and falls in love for the first time.

Her hostel and school friends all bring their unique characters to this book. She and her friends get into all types of mischief in the hostel. She goes through initiation, and ghost night which all form part of the school’s tradition. She is convinced that the ‘matrics’ poisoned her during initiation, which is causing her to develop anorexia. Molly is totally overwhelmed by the 40 plus rules that are strictly enforced at the ‘Pink Prison’. The Pink Prison is run by Mrs Wickermeyer who won’t deviate from the hostel rules, and quite frankly doesn’t seem to like children much. Her side kick is an ancient old bat called Miss Mauser. She is always trying to convince the girls to come to her bible study evenings in her room, which smells very funny. During the year Molly attends a confirmation camp and has a failed attempt at speaking in tongues. She manages to get through the first year of high school by the skin of her teeth.

She and her friend Brooke, re-visit their old school in Grabouw during the local sports day. It is a typical farming community sports day with an exercise demonstration and lots of koeksusters. She goes on holiday with her family to the sea resort of Arniston, where they arrive to find the house they are renting is only half built. The book starts on 1 January 1984 where Molly and her family are camping in Kleinmond and ends on 31 December 1984 in the Strand where she and her family are celebrating New Years Eve.

 

Price:R120

Purchase from http://www.justdone.co.za

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via fax 086 505 2478

or John 083 3888 290

 

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