Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is a popular Irish writer, considered to be one of the original progenitors of "chick lit". Keyes' first novel, Watermelon, was published in Ireland in 1995. Since then she has published seven further novels and two collections of non-fiction, and has sold 15 million copies of her books in 30 languages.
Contents |
Biography
Marian Keyes was born in Limerick and brought up in Dublin. She graduated with a Law degree at University College Dublin and then 'put it to good use' by going to London and getting a job as a waitress. (According to Under The Duvet, she felt she "did not deserve a better job".) Eventually she was working in an accounts office, when she started writing short stories, with no intention of ever writing a novel (“It would take too long”). She described her career shift as "I became a writer by accident." since she sent her short story manuscripts to a publisher thinking she wouldn't hear back from them, but they did: and asked to see her novel. Thus, Watermelon was written and her career as a novelist was born. Marian Keyes is a recovering alcoholic, and has incorporated her good and bad life experiences of all types in her books, though the prominent themes and outlined points are dark issues-- including infidelity, inferiority complexes, divorce, drug addiction, and bereavement. In the Walsh family books, the character Rachel Walsh is heavily based on Marian Keyes herself according to Under The Duvet, and her harsh real life experiences in rehabilitation programs are a focal point in Rachel's Holiday. Marian lives with her husband, Tony (called "Himself" in her non-fiction works), in Dun Laoghaire after moving back from London in 1997.
Bibliography
Novels:
- Watermelon (1995)
- Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married (1996)
- Rachel's Holiday (1998)
- Last Chance Saloon (1999)
- Sushi for Beginners (2000)
- No Dress Rehearsal (2000)
- Angels (2002)
- The Other Side of the Story (2004)
- Anybody Out There? (2006)
- This Charming Man (scheduled for release in 2008)
Non-fiction:
The Walsh Family Books
Marian Keyes novels are usually not written as serials nor with sequels or prequels, except for what has been known amongst her fandom as the "Walsh Sister Series" though it is not a series officially since reading one of the books that came after previous ones would not affect the reader's understanding of the plotline or characters; but would provide better background on character studies and some background information. The Walsh Sister Series are written in order from the eldest to the youngest sister: Claire Walsh is the main character of Watermelon, Rachel in Rachel's Holiday, Margaret in Angels, and Anna in Anybody Out There?. Each book and character deals with a different theme in overcoming a massive struggle, usually a dark one. A book is yet to be published which centers on the fifth and youngest sister, Helen.
