Marian Keyes

Marian Keyes
Born	10 September 1963 (1963-09-10) (age 48) Limerick, Ireland
Occupation	Writer, novelist
Nationality	Irish
Alma mater	Dublin University
Period	1995–present
Genres	Women's literature
Subjects	Domestic violence, drug abuse, mental illness, divorce and alcoholism
Notable work(s)	Fiction 'Watermelon (1995) Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married (1996) This Charming Man (2008)
Spouse(s)	Tony Baines (m. 1995–present) «start: (1995)»"Marriage: Tony Baines to Marian Keyes" Location: (linkback://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_Keyes)
mariankeyes.com

Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish Book Awards-winner Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women's literature. She has sold over more 22 million copies worldwide and been translated into 32 languages.^[1] She became known worldwide for their best-sellers, Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married and This Charming Man, which is considered one of the first authors to have the subject Chick Lit in their books.

Biography

Born in Limerick and raised in Monkstown, Keyes earned a law degree from Dublin University, but immediately disregarded it, left Ireland and became a waitress in London, feeling as though she did not deserve a well-paid career. Keyes began composing short stories after she found work in an accounts office, but initially had no intention of completing a novel, arguing that it would take too long.

In this period of her life, she underwent a severe struggle with alcoholism, but overcame this in 1995 at a rehabilitation center in Dublin, Ireland.

However, following a letter back from the publisher whom she'd sent her manuscripts to, she began work on a book, and thus her first feature-length story, Watermelon, was born. Known for her self-deprecation, Keyes often says that she "became a writer by accident".

Style

Although many of her novels are known as comedies, they are often filled with dark themes including domestic violence, drug abuse, mental illness, divorce and alcoholism, most of which are loosely based on her own life experiences.

She is regarded by her fans as a pioneer of the so-called 'chick-lit' genre^{[citation needed]}; her stories usually revolve around a strong female character who overcomes numerous obstacles to achieve lasting happiness.

Personal life

Keyes currently lives in Dún Laoghaire with her husband Tony, after moving back from London in 1997. She suffers from severe clinical depression, and attempted suicide in 1994; she has since talked frankly about her battle with the disease.^[2]

Bibliography

Fiction

• 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)
• Nothing Bad ever Happens in Tiffany's (2005)
• Anybody Out There? (2006)
• This Charming Man (2008)
• The Brightest Star in the Sky (2009)

Non-fiction

• Under the Duvet (2001)
• Further under the Duvet (2005)
• Cracks In My Foundation in Damage Control - Women on the Therapists, Beauticians, and Trainers Who Navigate Their Bodies edited by Emma Forrest (2007)

Film & television adaptations

• Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married (1999/2000)
• Watermelon (16 April 2003)
• Au Secours J'ai Trente Ans (2004).

Awards

• 2009 - Irish Book Awards; Irish Popular Fiction Book from This Charming Man (Won)

References

1. ^ Bates, Daniel (6 January 2010). "Marian Keyes apologises to fans for crippling depression which has left her unable to sleep, read, write or talk". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1240928/Marian-Keyes-apologises-fans-crippling-depression-left-unable-function.html. 
2. ^ Bates, Daniel (6 January 2010). "Marian Keyes apologises to fans for crippling depression which has left her unable to sleep, read, write or talk". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1240928/Marian-Keyes-apologises-fans-crippling-depression-left-unable-function.html. 

• Vallely, Paul (9 January 2010). "Marian Keyes: A darker side to chick-lit". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/marian-keyes-a-darker-side-to-chicklit-1862424.html. Retrieved 9 January 2010. 

External links

• Official Site
• Harper Collins Site
• Readers' Blog (in Spanish)

Persondata
Name	Keyes, Marian
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	10 September 1963
Place of birth	Limerick, Ireland
Date of death
Place of death