The Way it Was gives a vivid account of growing up “Poor-White” in South Africa during the first half of the Twentieth Century. Scandals in the family, camping trips in the company of happy-go-lucky relatives, learning about sex, and an embarrassing incident in the confessional are all told in a matter-of-fact, down-to-earth way that brings this bye-gone era to life.
 
In the course of her duties as a nurse, the author comes across wild and whacky characters, and witnesses some bizarre medical cases. Blind dates, family quarrels and an unconventional wedding make this an extraordinary and poignant coming-of-age story.