On the same day her husband leaves for another woman – the skinny cow who lives in the flat below theirs. In Watermelon, Claire Walsh, the eldest daughter, gives birth to a beautiful baby girl.There’s a lovely little interview with Marian Keyes talking about the Walsh Family on the Penguin Website. They have five daughters, all of whom at some point have had their poor mother’s ‘heart scalded’ with worry. Set in Ireland, the family is led by the redoubtable Mammy Walsh with her long suffering husband Jack. I read the first, Watermelon, many years ago and fell in love with them all straightaway. Five of Keyes’ books centre on Mammy Walsh’s daughters.

I have a particular soft spot for the Walsh family. I have everything written by her including collections of her articles and her cake recipes.

Not only do I have to slow down when I reach the end, I have read all of her books three or four times and I always pre-order the next one even if I don’t know what it’s about. Luckily, she writes lovely, long novels which keep me going for a good while. She ticks the boxes for all of my rules with most of her books – mainly because l I don’t want them to end. Marian Keyes is my absolute go to number one author if I want a bit of escapism and comfort. When I choose my books they have to tick five boxes – you can click here to see a reminder of the the rules If they don’t meet the criterion – they aren’t getting in. This is the second in my series on amazing books I recommended, have a look at my first one: Louis de Bernières and Liane Moriarty. Today this post is all about those funny, warm, and – above all – entertaining books which tell a bloody good story. If I’m having a hard day and there is no wine (or cake) available, these writers make is all better. When I say comfort reading, I mean that the books are so absorbing, so gripping, they help you escape from the world for a few hours. Hugging your loved ones, taking a bath, opening a bottle of wine, watching a good movie, or eating as much cake as you can get in your mouth.Īll of those work for me, but the cake is not a good idea if I’m trying to stick to my low-carb diet. Reposting in honour of the VERY exciting news Marian Keyes is publishing a sequel to ‘Rachel’s Holiday’ screech!Ĭomfort comes in many forms.

Claire walsh marian keyes