Recommendation

Maggie Scratch by Susana Gross
Recommendation by Rosalie Warren


Maggie Scratch is an enchanting character and this is a sparkler of a book. Follow Maggie from Jewish Philadelphia in the 1970s, through a whole series of encounters, adventures, disasters and fun as she explores the world of sex, drugs, music, dance, relationships and life, before finishing up on the idyllic (sort of) island of Ibiza with her partner, the charming and wonderful painter, Izzy. Maggie is left with just one longing – for a child. Izzy’s had a vasectomy. But we’re not finished yet...

Maggie tells it raw, honest and funny, and if you’re a baby boomer of her generation (like me), you’ll find plenty of resonance with the landmarks of your own life, even if yours (like mine) has been rather less exciting than hers.

Let me repeat – she is very funny. Izzy’s sock bag had me in stitches...

And unbearably sad at times. But always warm. You kind of wish Maggie was your friend. She sets you free to accept your own mistakes and imperfect self. But before you’ve time to wax philosophical, she makes you laugh again.

This is truthful writing. It’s deep; it’s serious lit, while being all those other things I’ve said as well. Maggie is a writer and she’s read a lot of books. You can’t help respecting her intellect and insight. But oh boy, does she sometimes go crazy (another reason to love her).

Maggie’s tale surges and pulsates with energy, like a vacuum seething with quantum fluctuations (where did that come from?) You’ll be invigorated by it. Maggie will burst on you like the sun at the start of spring. She’ll also warm you like a hot water bottle on a cold Ibiza winter’s night.

I've been trying my hardest all day to work out how Susana Gross writes so well. One clue – her sentence rhythms are spot on. She’s the sort of writer who makes you want to go away and write. My praise doesn't come any higher than that.

Read Maggie Scratch!


23/2/12
Rosalie Warren, author of Coping with Chloe
Rosalie Reviews Blog
Coping With Chloe by Rosalie Warren