The Woman Who Painted Her Dreams - Tapa blanda

'She writes with wit and perception...well-crafted, humorous and insightful'
'Isla Dewar is not just a fine craftswoman; like Madeline Green, she too is an artist' Sunday Herald

(Sunday Herald, Glasgow)

'Isla Dewar's true skill is in her eye for detail and character development...Dewar writes touchingly, but not too sentimentally' Aberdeen Press & Journal (Aberdeen Press & Journal)

'Funny, sad and poignant, this is a brilliantly observation of family life and childhood...Isla Dewar paints a picture with words, sights, sounds and smells and such warmth in an incredibly evocative novel' Yorkshire Evening Press (Yorkshire Evening Press)

The power of Dewar's highly visual imagination brings off this tender, uncompromising story with panache and feeling (Glasgow Herald)

'An accomplished and beautifully written novel' Real magazine (Real magazine)

'It's the way that Isla Dewar develops her characters that gives her writing such extraordinary strength...an absorbing story... Isla Dewar has the ability to conjure up the most delightful cameo scenes, and the power to keep the story moving towards its inevitable end' Oxford Times (Oxford Times)

'Such a compelling read...you won't be able to put it down' Newcastle Journal (Newcastle Journal)

'Strong characters, sharp dialogue and a haunting sense of place...a compelling study of desire, frustration and contentment' Eve magazine (Eve)

'The feisty character of Madeline carries this charmingly written story of conflicting desires' Family Circle (Family Circle)

'Filled with intricate descriptions and razor-sharp observations' Waterstone's Books Quarterly (Waterstone's Books Quarterly)

A sturdy wilful child, Madeline Green adores her father, her hero, her Ted. She thinks him a wonder. When he dies, Madeline, still in her teens, stumbles forward into life with one burning ambition - to paint. She makes friends with Annie and her wayward husband, Willie. She finds solace in her relationship with Stuart, her pal, lover, soulmate. Moves into his dilapidated country house. Living removed from the world, Madeline's aspirations seem to slip away. Seeking release from her frustrated desires by painting her turbulent wild imaginings whilst sleeping, Madeline, at last, discovers the true Madeline, and finds recognition. Or rather, recognition finds her. And she realises that life is not a straight path from childhood to her goals. It is her mistakes, wrong turnings, her misunderstandings, distractions and absurdities that make her 'The me I am.'