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Original poster

Marion Keyes - always so misogynistic?

118 replies

squashyhat · 11/07/2022 16:51

I am on holiday so decided on some light reading. I've started my first ever Marion Keyes book (Last Chance Saloon) because everyone says she is funny, insightful etc and I imagined it would be a fairly easy read. I didn't know she is Irish so was surprised at all the Irish characters at first, not that that's necessarily an issue, and it's quite well-written and humorous. But every single female character seems to be hanging on for dear life to a terrible and abusive relationship, mourning the loss of terrible and abusive relationship, or eyeing up useless, abusive men with whom it would be a disaster to have a relationship. Am I unlucky with this book or does she just hate women?

OP posts:
bookworm14 · 12/07/2022 12:21

Tara’s relationship is meant to be abusive. Over the course of the book she realises that it’s better to be happily single than in a relationship with a man who makes you miserable. Hardly a misogynist plot line.

DFOD · 12/07/2022 06:50

Awrite · 11/07/2022 22:02

Marian Keyes' Desert Island Discs was one of the most relatable things I've ever listened to.

Not relevant but thought I'd share.

Very relevant I would say - and wonderful

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b08hl8tr

Numbat2022 · 12/07/2022 06:43

Marian Keyes loves women! She's fantastic, she writes real characters with flaws like real people. In fact they're not even flaws, they're just who they are!

tribpot · 12/07/2022 06:28

Last Chance Saloon actually is set in England! The three main characters are Irish.

Margotshypotheticaldog · 11/07/2022 22:07

Pps not Marian.
I'm Marian.
And so's my wife.

Awrite · 11/07/2022 22:02

Marian Keyes' Desert Island Discs was one of the most relatable things I've ever listened to.

Not relevant but thought I'd share.

Pocolovo · 11/07/2022 21:55

Maybe the op only likes to read books set in Engerland😀

Rosessmelllike · 11/07/2022 21:52

Are you conscious of the fact of fictionality or literary persona? It means writers can, ya know,.make stuff up to explore characters and themes. Not put an inner monologue on the page.

Blueberrybuns · 11/07/2022 21:51

I don't understand the comments about it being set in Ireland. Do you read fiction set solely in the UK, containing only British characters?!

Sandyfeet101 · 11/07/2022 21:42

I second reading This Charming Man next. I have read all MK's books and follow her on Twitter etc. She is a strong feminist and advocate for women's rights.

CliffsofMohair · 11/07/2022 21:37

Atlantic252 · 11/07/2022 21:29

I know other posters have already responded more eloquently than I can but @squashyhat I don't know which is more offensive - saying that Irish characters aren't necessarily an issue 😒 or calling Marian a misogynist 😤.

What is it with the anti Irish stuff here since yesterday 🙄

Putting it down to the Tory leadership race.

Atlantic252 · 11/07/2022 21:33

And just to add to the Marian love I coincidentally finished Again Rachel today. If anyone hasn't tried the audiobook with Marian narrating it's worth a listen just for Mammy Walsh 😂. Her research and insight into issues that face women is just fantastic.

Atlantic252 · 11/07/2022 21:29

I know other posters have already responded more eloquently than I can but @squashyhat I don't know which is more offensive - saying that Irish characters aren't necessarily an issue 😒 or calling Marian a misogynist 😤.

What is it with the anti Irish stuff here since yesterday 🙄

Notonthestairs · 11/07/2022 21:29

I have much love for Helen Walsh so my favourite is The Mystery of Mercy Close Grin

BabyMoonPie · 11/07/2022 21:14

@squashyhat if you are going to slate someone's character based on one of her books, which you haven't even finished, you could at least do her the courtesy of spelling her name correctly

Luredbyapomegranate · 11/07/2022 21:11

No she does not, she writes great stories centred around women.

I can’t remember that book. (I think Rachel’s holiday and The other side of the story are her best two, and Anybody out There and Angels also good.)

However, as a side note, a couple of her Heroines (Rachel and Lisa) are disturbingly passive in bed, which I have always thought was quite weird..

Ladywiddio · 11/07/2022 20:54

Marian Keyes also won Author of the Year at the British Book Awards in May.

CelluliteAndSparkles · 11/07/2022 19:30

I didn't know she is Irish so was surprised at all the Irish characters at first, not that that's necessarily an issue

I didn’t know Toni Morrison was black so was surprised at all the black characters at first, not that it’s necessarily an issue.

Pocolovo · 11/07/2022 19:22

I do t think the op has read any MK’s books, but for some strange reason doesn’t like her and thought she would start a pile on!

FKATondelayo · 11/07/2022 18:33

I've never read Marion Keyes but I loathe the modern expectation that all stories must provide a Moral Message and all characters must behave well or Be Punished.

Cyberworrier · 11/07/2022 18:33

I'm loving all the Marian Keyes love here. Makes me want to buy the ones I haven't yet read!

theoldhasgone · 11/07/2022 18:32

Sistanotcista · 11/07/2022 17:48

Welcome to Mumsnet, Marian

Show quote history

Pretty sure MK doesn't need to come on here to defend herself against some random who hasn't even finished reading her book. 😂😂😂She's a multimillionaire?

MakkaPakkas · 11/07/2022 18:26

Just came to add to the Marian Keyes love. Definitely not a misogynist. Some of her characters love beauty treatments and make up, which is not personally relatable to me but it's not misogynistic!
My absolute favourite of hers is the brightest star in the sky, but with all of them you can guarantee a good laugh, excellent writing and an often emotional story.

AfterSchoolWorry · 11/07/2022 18:18

You're barking up the wrong tree OP.

MK is about as far from misogynist as you can be.

JaneJeffer · 11/07/2022 18:18

Please stop spoiling Again, Rachel. Some of us haven't read it yet!

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