Dear Diary

I've always thought of keeping a diary. I started one in grade 7 when I went to England for two weeks because it was my first time travelling without my family. But then I got lazy and that was it. Although there weren't any big secrets in my attempt of a diary, I wouldn't want anyone reading it because, after all, diaries are meant to be personal. However I doubt if Pepys would agree, with his published diary enjoying such huge success even until today.

I think the main reason why his diary is still read after a few centuries is that, in the form of a diary, he captured and recreated the daily life of his time. It is filled with vivid imagery and interesting details that make the readers feel like they are in that time period by Pepys’s side witnessing everything together with him. Moreover, the diary entries are quite lengthy, making them more like short stories gathered in a book. I cannot imagine writing that much every night before going to bed, but then I’ve never witnessed a fire or an execution, phew!

Of the three important events he recorded in his diary, the London Fire is my favourite. I can picture the incident in my head just like a movie as I’m reading it. It first started with Pepys being informed of the fire but, thinking that it was far away, not showing much concern. Later when he realized how powerful the fire was, he toured around London and made observations to what was happening around. He also carried information to the king and organized fire fighting teams. These all became historically significant evidence that’d be helpful for people learning about the great fire. Besides, I find the part about him safeguarding his possessions very realistic and interesting.