Keeping Up with Magda

by Isla Dewar

In the Scottish fishing village of Mareth, everyone knows everything about each other - and what they don't know they assume; the villagers live against a constantly changing backdrop of elaborate scheming and sexual innuendo. At the hub of this world is the Ocean Cafe, run by tousle-haired, forty-something Magda, who makes grown men eat their greens, won't serve customers she doesn't like, and loves her children and their father with a passion. When Jessie Tate, devastated by recent tragedy, rents the flat above the cafe in an escape from the city, her dream of peace and solitude is shattered by the rock 'n' roll music that thuds through her floor. But perhaps a dose of life in an intimate, colourful and utterly self-absorbed community is just what Jessie needs to break free of her ghosts...

Genres: Fiction, Scotland

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Born in Edinburgh, Isla Dewar now lives in Fife with her husband, a cartoonist, and two sons. Her first novel, Keeping Up with Magda, published in 1995, has been followed by a string of bestsellers.

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Set in small Scottish fishing village, lots of interesting, slightly crazy characters. the main character you can identify with as she's pretty clueless and unhappy and from the fast, modern day world. She flees to this small village to escape. They local people are unpredictable and interesting. Some people change, some die and some get a little crazier. What's not to love!

[Fiona Drane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given to me to read by a friend in the village. Must know I love books set in a Scottish coastal setting with strong woman characters and men for that matter.

Magda is a powerhouse of a woman who can’t read or write but manages to run a cafe including feeding for free local kids breakfast. She tells customers exactly what she thinks of them and over charges those she takes objection to. She is a fiercely proud mother yet has quite the sex life and not just with her husband.

A very middle class woman comes to the village running from a miscarriage and then finding her life and her husband was not what she now wanted or needed anymore. Magda takes her under her wing and gives her a job. Transformational for both of them.

Meanwhile a very sad part of the story is Magda’s mum who after a trip to London and an event there basically becomes very depressed by trying to achieve what she can’t have. And not even Magda can help.

Which is why I loved this book it’s gritty, it’s real, it’s funny and it’s sad rather like real life.

[Bhavya · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75 stars

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it because it took place in Scotland and was expecting to be “transformed” there but not so much. Basic storyline was good but no closure. Felt like sex talk was sprinkled throughout for shock value. Would have been much better without.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Claire Carpenter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one. Writing not great, gratuitous sex scenes and some quite bizarre story lines ......only good thing was the descriptions of Scottish scenery and that it was short.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Antonieta Dumay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it wasnt for me. I did not engage with the story or the main characters.
Also did not understand the whole story, there were too many thing going on at the same time.

[Lynrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, slightly bawdy holiday read.

[Diane Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isla Dewar always writes about everyday life in everyday kind of situations. Based in Mareth a Scottish fishing village where everyone knows everyone and their business. A close knit community with the hub of it being the Ocean Cafe, run buy 'don't mess wi me' Magda, who would not confess to having a big heart. She tells things like it is and you take it or leave it.

Jessie Tate comes to the village and rents the flat above the cafe and is soon sucked into the way of the village, but she is trying to come to terms with a great loss in her life. She can forget having a life of complete peace and quiet and is woken every morning with the morning rituals of the village, Magda playing her dated rock'n'roll at full pelt while opening up the cafe, Granny Moran feeding the seagulls, the constant ongoing work on the pier. Will she decide to stay or find herself back to her old life in the city?

A book filled with wonderful, down to earth characters. Laughs and tears along the way and moving at times too. A short read but worthwhile.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slice of life set in a Scottish fishing village. It's the stuff of everyday, with characters you get to know as if they were your neighbors, warts and all. Feistier and bawdier than Miss Marple or Agatha Raisin ever were, but more real as well. Interestingly enough, this is the third book in a row that has illiteracy (and dyslexia) as a plot element.

This book was sent by a BookCrosser for our book exchange here in the building and I decided to read it first, as I was unfamiliar with the author, who appears to have a loyal following.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st book I have read by this author recommendation from my mum to read this author.. She has not read this one but others will be interesting what she thinks once I've passed it on to her.

I do not know what I thought I would find it certainly wasn't what i expected.
I'm pondering did i enjoy it or not? Was i engaged with the characters or the place. This book has left me baffled but perhaps that is a good thing about the book. It's making me think about the book turn the story over a while until something settles.

[Ainsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lent/recommended by a friend - I liked it,especially the lyrical yet matter-of-fact tone, a lot, got very involved with the characters and their stories, and was therefore disappointed by the leave-you-hanging ending. Yes, I know that's a legitimate and probably justified authorial choice, but I still wanted to know what happened next, dammit.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is not my favorite book from this writer. A bit too rude and shameless. The main character leaves an unhappy marriage after loosing her first child and ends up in a Scottish coastal village working as a waitress in Magda's restaurant. Won't reread this book for sure.
Correction: did read the book for a second time and appreciated it more although still not my favourite.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I originally chose this book on a whim, because I remembered the author from Scottish Girls About Town. However, I had a hard time getting into the story or feeling anything for any of the characters. I woudn't really recommend this book to anyone.

[Liesbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. It's a bit different, a bit quirky. The main characters , although not mainstream , are very believable. It paces itself nicely, the setting is pretty.
A decent, warmhearted read.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

No one grew or matured in this book. Pretty stagnant characters even though from time to time, they seemed to gain some insights-- just didn't act on them.

[Lara]

I just love Isla Dewar, and this is another great read.

[Teresa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should have a Magda in their life !!

[nomadreader (Carrie D-L) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Maureen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very believable tale of life in a small village. All the characters have their own problems/idiosyncrasies. A story amusing and sad in parts. A very enjoyable read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those Authors that you find yourself searching for anything she's written.