What do you think?
Rate this book
The Steamie
Magrit, Dolly, Doreen and Mrs Culfeathers are the lifeblood of their Glasgow community - a community of men and women from the shops, shipyards, bookies and street corners, whose wonderful sense of humour was honed by the grind of day-to-day living. As we meet the women's husbands, their families and their friends, a unique study unfolds of a humanity that can laugh at itself, take responsibility for its shortcomings and soon weeds out the chancers from the good guys.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
About the author
Tony Roper
7 books2 followersTony Roper is a Scottish actor, comedian, playwright and writer.
His first major starring role was in Scotch and Wry. He wrote the comedy-drama The Steamie in 1988, for which he won a BAFTA. He achieved even greater fame in The Naked Video and in the spin-off series Rab C. Nesbitt, in which he played Rab's partner-in-crime, Jamesie Cotter. He also starred in the short-lived 1999 sitcom All Along the Watchtower. Tony also had a small part as the postman in the longer version of the 1973 cult film, The Wicker Man.
His first major starring role was in Scotch and Wry. He wrote the comedy-drama The Steamie in 1988, for which he won a BAFTA. He achieved even greater fame in The Naked Video and in the spin-off series Rab C. Nesbitt, in which he played Rab's partner-in-crime, Jamesie Cotter. He also starred in the short-lived 1999 sitcom All Along the Watchtower. Tony also had a small part as the postman in the longer version of the 1973 cult film, The Wicker Man.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 21, 2013
A follow up from the famous play - The Steamie. A snap shot of a by gone era of Glasgow life in the late 50's. loved it!
September 15, 2020
I enjoyed this story of a time long ago when community meant more and communal washing places were the norm. At that time in Glasgow ship building was the big employer and pubs were where the men went to unwind (get blootered) and lose their week’s wages. The Steamie was where the womenfolk met for a blether and a gossip and carried on their hard work sometimes undertaking other folks washing (those who could afford to pay and hadn’t quite got the hang of the new laundrettes or got round to buying their own washing machine ...just fir posh folk, that).
Tony Roper writes his women’s voices very well, belligerent Magrit hiding a soft heart, upwardly mobile (given half a chance) Doreen, the sad Mrs Culfeather who has never seen her grandchildren and Dolly kind-hearted but never knowingly shuts up. There are men of course, husbands, with their own tale but his voice is stronger for the women.
Apart from a silly bit involving a barbers pole it is a story about life in 1950’s Glasgow and how important the Steamie was to the community, and not just for washing clothes.
Tony Roper writes his women’s voices very well, belligerent Magrit hiding a soft heart, upwardly mobile (given half a chance) Doreen, the sad Mrs Culfeather who has never seen her grandchildren and Dolly kind-hearted but never knowingly shuts up. There are men of course, husbands, with their own tale but his voice is stronger for the women.
Apart from a silly bit involving a barbers pole it is a story about life in 1950’s Glasgow and how important the Steamie was to the community, and not just for washing clothes.
August 10, 2020
Brilliant
The 'mince story' is to my mind a classic from the stage play of The Steamie. It is well told here as Tony Roper also fills out the backgrounds of the women involved .
The 'mince story' is to my mind a classic from the stage play of The Steamie. It is well told here as Tony Roper also fills out the backgrounds of the women involved .
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews