The Breadmakers Saga

The Breadmakers Saga #1-3

by Margaret Thomson Davis

"The Breadmakers Saga" follows the story of a Glasgow working class community living through the dark days of the Depression and the Second World War. Clydend, McNair's Bakery and the surrounding tenements, are all depicted, as are the lives and loves of people like Catriona, a young woman trying to cope with an overbearing husband; the foreman baker Baldy Fowler and his tragic wife, Sarah; Alec Jackson, the philandering insurance salesman; and a host of other coulourful characters who face up to the ordinary challenges of life and the extraordinary challenges of war with honesty, optimism and hope.

Genres: Novels

591 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

A prolific author, admired for her depiction of the Scottish working class communities.

Reviews

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of family saga that my late mother used to read and that I sneered at as a younger woman. I got it in a Kindle sale, attracted by the Glasgow setting. I read it over a couple of days while on holiday and enjoyed it much more than I expected to. I loved the setting and following the characters over a period of years. I found some of the characters difficult to put up with, but overall found it a good time-passer and an interesting portrayal of how women's lives have changed since the First World War.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three books rolled into the one saga about family life in Glasgow during the years prior to WW2, through the War and just after. A big part of the book consisted of showing how the roles of the wives and mothers were treated almost worthlessly by some of their menfolk. Thankfully, although not perfect yet, this situation has improved beyond measure compared with those days.

[Marjory Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This authors books never disappoint me. Highly recommend

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this story. Another insight into world war two and how lives were changed, the heartbreak and loss, loss of jobs, hard hard lives they had to endure. A sad tale and a real good read

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-wrenching.

An unputdownable, yet heart-wrenching story of life in the slums of Glasgow prior to, during and immediately following World War II.
The characters are credible; some likeable, others not, but they are all brought together in this emotional story.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book to lovers of this genre.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book one of the trilogy - this book should have easily entertained me as I am interested in Glasgow and baking in the specific period in which it was set. Unfortunately it was very disappointing. The characters were a confusing muddle of descriptions and the plot was very weak and again confusing. I will not be reading any more books in the trilogy in spite of them being on my shelves.

[Veronicap · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Jackie White · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many characters it was confusing & no real story. I struggled to 13% but didn't know who was who or what was going on so have given up.

Life's too short for books you can't get into.