Page 4 | Marion Keyes - always so misogynistic?

squashyhat · 2022-07-11T15:51:54+00:00

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?

angeltop · 11/07/2022 18:16

Try ‘this Charming Man’. Love it.

RenegadeMatron · 11/07/2022 18:15

Odd to come on and start a thread slagging off a book you haven’t finished.

Marian’s early books, including LCS, Rachel’s Holiday, Lucy Sullivan, etc, etc - are very much of their era - people in their heyday in the 90s, pre mobile phones (that could do anything other than just text), the internet as it is now, social media, etc, etc.

Yes - Tara is with an utterly dire man. That’s the whole point of the book.

Eatingchips · 11/07/2022 18:12

Nobody enjoys a sanitised character.

The situations Marian describes can be abusive and misogynistic. Like everywhere else, the patriarchy is alive and well in Ireland. The women are products of that and Marian writes about fully developed characters, flaws and all in a human and humorous way. I love her writing, she is like a playful Maeve Binchy, very witty.

elenacampana · 11/07/2022 18:12

Marian Keyes is an absolute superstar writer. She’s so far from a misogynist, she could be on the moon and that wouldn’t be far enough!

ReallyIrish · 11/07/2022 18:09

Well I for one am very glad to hear you say that all those Irish characters aren't necessarily a problem😬
Tell me would you have said that very same line about Asian or black people?

ClaudineClare · 11/07/2022 18:08

You should read This Charming Man. Marian Keyes does not fecking hate women.

MovinOnUp · 11/07/2022 18:05

I bloody adore Marian Keyes.
I've read the vast majority of her work and don't find her to be misogynistic in the least.

Pocolovo · 11/07/2022 18:03

Bollox

Pocolovo · 11/07/2022 18:03

What utter Belloc OP😀

SleepingAgent · 11/07/2022 18:01

theoldhasgone · 11/07/2022 17:25

Wow. You are a damn fool.

Marian Keyes is a fantastic feminist writing with wit and compassion about difficult situations that happen literally all the time. I am so cross that you would DARE to comment on her 'attitude towards women' (! ?) without even finishing the book.

Also, have you ever read a book before? Character journeys, plot developments, drama and conflict - ever heard of any of those? Perhaps you'd rather she wrote about people who have everything figured out but it would be a short, boring and unrelatable book.

The bloody cheek.

This ^

Suzannetakesyoudown1 · 11/07/2022 17:49

The main thing I find annoying about her latest book is that everyone is gorgeous or beautiful and real life isn’t like that. Still read them though.

maddiemookins16mum · 11/07/2022 17:49

I loved her books (25 years ago).

Sistanotcista · 11/07/2022 17:48

theoldhasgone · 11/07/2022 17:25

Wow. You are a damn fool.

Marian Keyes is a fantastic feminist writing with wit and compassion about difficult situations that happen literally all the time. I am so cross that you would DARE to comment on her 'attitude towards women' (! ?) without even finishing the book.

Also, have you ever read a book before? Character journeys, plot developments, drama and conflict - ever heard of any of those? Perhaps you'd rather she wrote about people who have everything figured out but it would be a short, boring and unrelatable book.

The bloody cheek.

Welcome to Mumsnet, Marian

Cyberworrier · 11/07/2022 17:45

Marian Keyes deals with serious issues that affect the lives of many women with humanity, warmth and wit. Of all the writers in the world to accuse of being misogynistic, very odd choice.

Incidentally, I've just read a self-help book for women in unhealthy relationships and one of the blurb/recommendations was by Marion Keyes. She has first hand experience of a lot of what she's written about, including addiction and depression.

She shows great empathy for her characters whilst not being afraid to show their flaws. And of course she's Irish!

Wolfiefan · 11/07/2022 17:44

She’s awesome! Love Marian Keyes. And no I’m not her either 😆

Mamette · 11/07/2022 17:43

theoldhasgone · 11/07/2022 17:25

Wow. You are a damn fool.

Marian Keyes is a fantastic feminist writing with wit and compassion about difficult situations that happen literally all the time. I am so cross that you would DARE to comment on her 'attitude towards women' (! ?) without even finishing the book.

Also, have you ever read a book before? Character journeys, plot developments, drama and conflict - ever heard of any of those? Perhaps you'd rather she wrote about people who have everything figured out but it would be a short, boring and unrelatable book.

The bloody cheek.

Brilliant.

theotherfossilsister · 11/07/2022 17:41

Weird this popped up. I was literally just talking to my mum on the phone who was asking if I've read any Marian Keyes. I haven't but from following on posts am keen to try some.

Foxglovesandprimroses · 11/07/2022 17:41

Do you know what I just remembered when I first read Rachel's Holiday at 19 I didn't even click she was a drug addict until embarrassingly near the end of the novel, that's how relatable it was for me then! Maybe I will give it another try.

MichelleScarn · 11/07/2022 17:39

Malariahilaria · 11/07/2022 17:26

If anyone slags of Marian Keyes I will fight them!!!! She fabulous and her books look like fluff to start but are always really insightful and about real raw experiences.

'Mon then, I'm with you! Which of her characters was always 'takin' a gin folks'....
@squashyhat you're on a shoogly peg here!

Notonthestairs · 11/07/2022 17:39

I thought that aspect of Again, Rachel showed that she was still struggling with some aspects of self worth and looking for validation (see also the high she'd get from shopping).

Ambertonix · 11/07/2022 17:39

Marian Keyes is my favourite auto-read author. The comments you make are quite frankly ridiculous. You have made me quite cross in fact. Misogynistic really? Ffs.

Notonthestairs · 11/07/2022 17:36

There wouldn't be a plot if the lead characters already have appropriate, positive self image & boundaries with secure loving relationships based on trust and kindness.

They are on a journey! That's the whole point.

Ladywiddio · 11/07/2022 17:35

So let me get this right,you have read half a book,the first one you have ever read by Marian Keyes and have made a ridiculous statement!

Go and have a look at her Twitter account,scroll right back through it,think you will find she is a fierce supporter of women.

theoldhasgone · 11/07/2022 17:34

Foxglovesandprimroses · 11/07/2022 17:30

I dunno.
I started to read Again Rachel and was put off by the title character going on about needing Botox for self-respect and talking disparagingly about the sister that didn't have any work done. Just found the obsession with appearance unrelatable to my life. Was disappointed as loved Rachels Holiday which came out when I was in my early 20s.

I saw those elements as showing an addictive personality finding socially acceptable outlets, and a revealing a still-flawed character. Narrator /=/ author.

Again Rachel definitely definitely worth persevering with, IMHO.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 11/07/2022 17:34

Malariahilaria · 11/07/2022 17:26

If anyone slags of Marian Keyes I will fight them!!!! She fabulous and her books look like fluff to start but are always really insightful and about real raw experiences.

Yes I agree, her books are surface fluff, but tend to be more substantial when the story unravels. 10 times better than other chick-lit authors!