Under the Duvet

'When people ask me what I do for a crust and I tell them that I'm a novelist, they immediately assume that my life is a non-stop carousel of limos, television appearances, hair-dos, devoted fans, stalkers and all the glitzy paraphernalia of being a public figure.

Her novels are adored by millions around the world ndash; now read Marian Keyesrsquo; collected journalism and exclusive, previously unpublished material in Under the Duvet.

Bursting with her hilarious observations on life, in-laws, weight loss and parties; her love of shoes and her LTFs (Long-Term Friends); the horrors of estates agents and lost luggage; and how she once had an office Christmas party that involved roasting two sheep on a spit, Moroccan style; itrsquo;s the perfect bed-time companion, and will have you wincing with recognition or roaring with laughter.

lsquo;Anyone who has pored over Marian Keyesrsquo; bestsellers will leap at the chance to discover another side to this much-loved authorrsquo;
Hello

lsquo;Her honesty and humour can have you laughing out loudrsquo;
Heat

lsquo;Hilarious hellip; will have you giggling out loud. A great book to dip intorsquo;
Company

Introduction

When I was twenty-one I got it into my head that I wanted to be a journalist. I considered my options: I could buy a pork-pie hat and notebook and approach newspapers, or I could apply to do a course. I decided on the course, which happened to be vastly oversubscribed, but I got through several of the interviewing stages, as they whittled down the numbers. However, I didn't make the final cut and I was absolutely devastated - heartbroken! But with the wisdom of hindsight it was probably all for the best. I would have been a terrible journalist - too wussy to doorstep suspects and too afraid of giving offence to ask tough questions. And I think I misunderstood my desire to work with words: I wanted to write fiction, not fact.
#160;#160;Anyway, years passed (nine of them) and eventually I did begin to write fiction, which is when I discovered a peculiar side-effect of being a novelist: newspaper and magazine editors were keen for me to contribute pieces of - wait for it - journalism.
#160;#160;Once I established that I didn't have to dissect burning matters of the day and that it was perfectly a OK to write funny autobiographical pieces, I was happy to do so. I began doing a regular monthly column for Irish Tatler, which covered most aspects of my life - writing, touring, trying to buy a house and learn to drive, my great love of shoes and confectionery, my great fear of dogs and New Year's Eve. Occasionally other Irish publications commissioned articles on something specific like Mother's Day or summer holidays, and over the months and years, without noticing, I built up quite a hefty pile of journalism.
Most of the articles in this collection have been published already in Ireland, but not all have been. Some others, I've incorporated into a novel - like the story of me going for a mud-wrap in a desperate attempt to lose weight two days before I got married. Those of you who've read Last Chance Saloon might remember Tara having a similar experience. Everything in this book really did happen to me, but occasionally I've changed people's names to protect the innocent or not-so-innocent! The majority of the articles are humorous, but a few aren't quite as light-hearted - in particular the piece about struggling with alcoholism. (But you can skip it if it makes you depressed!) That's the beauty of a collection like this - unlike a novel, it can be read in any order you please; you can even start at the back if you want. I like the idea that this is something you can dip in and out of, that you can let the book fall open

Książka "Under the Duvet"
Marian Keyes; M. Keyes