Isla Dewar is a prolific and successful writer, yet her novels are less known in academic circles. Borrowing the words of a journalist from The Scotsman “[she] writes unassuming, quietly readable novels. The settings are often Scottish, the subject matter the extraordinary lives of ordinary people, told with warmth and quirkiness” (“Life Lines”). Madeline Green is one such character. Born in Edinburgh, like Dewar herself, she rises to some fame at the age of 40 with relatively little effort. Although I am in no way suggesting that The Woman Who Painted Her Dreams is an autobiographical work, the novel is a heart-felt piece whose protagonist bears resemblance to the writer in many aspects. Being Edinburgh-born and a latecomer to success and fame herself as well are only two of the features that make Madeline’s character unique. A painter near her forties, Madeline Green is full of extraordinary habits and qualities that are sometimes funny, sometimes strange, and sometimes downright shocking or just plain naïve.