Marion Keyes - always so misogynistic?

[squashyhat]

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?

Have you got to the end yet?

What? It is a couple of decades since I read LCS but it really spoke to me at the time, maybe because that was what my actual twenties were like. Read some more books maybe. I love Marian Keyes.

Ps it seems a bit of a stretch to go from not knowing Marian Keyes is Irish to deciding she hates women in half a book.

I seem to remember that LCS focusses on Tara getting out of an abusive relationship and finding some self respect

No way. I think you need to read on.

Yes the Irish comment was a red herring - it just struck me that's all. OK I will persevere. I've got nothing else to read so I might as well.

Keep reading! Tara's relationship is hideously frustrating (deliberately so).

Does Marian Keyes hate women?????? Is that an actual question?????

Wow is this an attempt to cancel Marian Keyes? What bollocks.

Er...she really doesn't. But if you're choosing to judge based on half a book then crack on, we can't stop you.

I actually have no idea where you've got that from though.

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.

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 the Irish comment was a red herring - it just struck me that's all

@theoldhasgone Marian is that you?

Sorry, pressed too soon, that was meant to be bold. What I meant was if you didn't know she was Irish, which everyone does, it is surprising for you to state so confidently that she hates women...

I WISH I was Marian Keyes. I am can only aspire to write with as much insight and good humour as she does.

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.

Hold yer horses and finish the book.
Marian Keyes is AMAZING.

Rachel's holiday and Lucy Sullivan is getting married are EPIC

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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