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Watermelon (Walsh Family #1)

3.74 of 5 stars 3.74 · rating details · 27,609 ratings · 897 reviews

Marian Keyes begins Watermelon with a rather inauspicious romantic opening when the heroine's husband leaves her for Denise from the flat downstairs the day their first child is born. Claire, the deserted wife and mother, returns to her family in Dublin and, after going through the required stages of "Loss, Loneliness, Hopelessness and Humiliation", begins to feel much bet...more

Paperback, 520 pages

Published July 7th 2005 by Arrow (first published September 1995)

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Aug 16, 2008 Norabee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: brand new moms

What a Way to Start a Brand New Baby’s Life!
Claire can’t believe that the very day that she gives birth to her first child is the same day that her husband decides to leave her. What Luck! Marian Keyes pulls out all the stops in the development of the story and the characters. Claire and her husband James have been married for a few years and are living in New York. She thought things were going just great, then out of nowhere James announces that he’s fallen for someone else and is leaving the...more What a Way to Start a Brand New Baby’s Life!
Claire can’t believe that the very day that she gives birth to her first child is the same day that her husband decides to leave her. What Luck! Marian Keyes pulls out all the stops in the development of the story and the characters. Claire and her husband James have been married for a few years and are living in New York. She thought things were going just great, then out of nowhere James announces that he’s fallen for someone else and is leaving their home to move in the with the other woman.

Claire is devastated and decides to move back home to her family in Ireland. Once she gets there, her parents and her sisters (there are five girls altogether – poor Dad!) try their best to help her deal with her abandonment and pitch in to help take care of the baby – she even has to name her baby girl without James’ input. So she’s down but she’s not out and after a bout of depression in which she terrorizes her family – she finally decides to move on with her life and she…leaves the house – for the first time in weeks!

She meets Adam, one of her sister Helen’s college classmates who although a little older than the average college student, is still a little young for her, but he’s hot and she can’t help being drawn to him and he seems to have a fondness for her brand new baby. Claire is still heart-broken over her husband’s betrayal, but maybe she can find a way to see the good in mankind by befriending Adam. Claire discovers a lot about herself, about her marriage and finds out the truth about her husband and comes to a crossroads and makes a decision about the way she’s going to live her life and raise her daughter.

This is my first Marian Keyes novel and I was instantly swept up in Claire’s personality and the humor that’s infused in her books. I especially enjoyed listening to the battles that would go on in Claire’s head between the good vs. evil – masterfully done. I was engrossed in every page and read it quickly and was sorry to have it end and then was so pleased to learn that there were more books in this series – I would like the chance to get to know the Walsh sisters better and I know that I’ve found a favorite author in Marian Keyes.
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Apr 02, 2008 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Andrea

I picked this book up after I finished Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married. Like Lucy Sullivan, I enjoyed Marian Keyes chatty style. Reading this book feels like a chat with a friend and I found that I got to know the main character very well. Marian Keyes excels at character development.

As you probably know, this story is about Claire, a 29 year old Irish woman living in London. A few hours after she gave birth, her husband James announces that he doesn't love her anymore and that he is leaving h...more

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Oct 04, 2007 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, october2007

I'm having ups and downs with this so far. I really love Marian Keyes humor, and that's what keeps me going. I'm having a hard time totally caring about Claire though, and I'm not sure what I'm missing. I almost feel like there is just too much of her that I don't know. I know her sisters better than her. I can't identify with the new mom thing, or the husband leaving her thing, and I'm just not finding anything to latch on to. Except the drinking, as I've done a bit of that lately myself :) I'm...more

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Jan 13, 2008 Ruth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, novels, own

A Christmas present from Megan...I was really excited to read this because it is the story of the oldest Walsh sister.

The very day she gives birth to their first child, Claire is told by her husband that he is leaving her for another woman. She returns home to Dublin, seeking the comfort of her crazy and quirky family, while she figures out how to deal with this abrupt change in her life. Something I love about Keyes' writing - although her books are most definitely of the chick-lit genre, the...more

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Jan 02, 2008 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, own

Of course I would love this book just because of it's genre but this is definintely at the top of my list. I guess because I'm actually going through such a similar situation as the character's (minus the baby) and so it touched the heart very closely. I love Claire's humor and how this book made me feel like I wasn't the only person out there going through a rollercoaster from murderous anger to guilt to all the other millions of emotions out there. It's all perceived as normal.

Simiilar situati...more

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Jul 30, 2008 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Watermelon was actually the first Marian Keyes book I read. In this book, Claire is a woman who has everything she ever wanted: a husband she adores, a life with interesting friends in London, a great job, and a fabulous apartment. However, on the day she gives birth to her first baby, a daughter, her husband James informs her that he is leaving her. Shocked and depressed, Claire slinks back home to Ireland to a family who cannot figure out what Claire "has done wrong to make her husband leave h...more

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Feb 28, 2008 Jayci rated it 4 of 5 stars

Full of quick, clever, sarcastic humor. Claire's (the star of the story) inner dialogue was, often times, laugh-out-loud funny. Such a quirky character with a tendencey to get worked up over nothing---a conversation that hadn't happened yet--a situation that "could" take place. I found Claire to be delightful (if not a bit like me :)) I am sure my husband would agree!:) But....haven't we all found ourselves playing out a scenario that could present itself. It is always good to be prepared, I say...more

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Jul 23, 2007 Kel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: chick lit

This is a great book. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because there were SO many typos in it. I don't mind a few, but it was insane that a best selling book in a repeat printing would have so many errors in it.

It was pretty easy to tell that this was Keyes' first novel in parts, but for the most part I really liked it and can't wait to keep reading her stories. I'd totally suggest reading these books in order though... even though they aren't totally related, they sort of are and I mis...more

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Sep 04, 2007 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

I am quite random myself, skipping from subject to subject without segways, but Keyes takes it to another level. I just felt like yelling "get to the point!". Some of Claire's inner dialog was funny, but by page 30 I was skipping over large chunks to get to the actual moving plot line of the book. A couldn't whole heartedly recommend this to anyone looking for a mindless chick book that is a quick read, cause it was too annoying to be mindless. Marian Keyes came highly recommended too, but I don...more

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May 18, 2013 Aishwarya Hariharan rated it 1 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I did not finish reading this book.

Honestly ? I can't imagine how anyone could.

Here's the scene: Silly girl(let's call her that, shall we ?) has a baby. Husband leaves her within hours of baby. First of all, who does that ? The woman just now had your child. She was in labor for twenty four hours or so she claims. TWENTY FOUR HOURS, A PERSON THE SIZE OF A WATERMELON WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF SOMETHING THE SIZE OF A LEMON. What Universe tells you it's ok to leave a woman at that poin...more

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May 10, 2013 Tea Jovanović rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: translated-it, editor-of-serbian-edition

Marijanu i njenog muža Tonija upoznala sam 2002. godine na sajmu u Njujorku... I zaprepastila se... Pa, oni znaju ponešto da kažu na srpskom! Misterija je brzo rešena, Marijanin brat oženjen je Beograđankom Ljiljanom i otud poznavanje i srpskog jezika i kulture, a bogme i hrane... :) Po povratku u Beograd, odmah sam krenula da čitam Lubenicu, totalno se zaljubila u Marijanino pisanje i nagovorila svog izdavača da odmah kupimo prava za pet Marijanin knjiga... i poslušao me je... A onda su Marijan...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Ikra rated it 1 of 5 stars

When I first read the blur for this book I was intrigued but at the same time I didn't want to read it. But then the fact that the guy leaves her as soon as the child is born just hooked me in, I had to know what happens. So I began reading it. Throughout this book i had ups and downs. This book had alot of potential but lacked. In a sense I feel it was too rushed and did not go into depth in some places.

So basically Claire is told by her husband that he is leaving her for another woman on the...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Elizabeth Quinn rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

For spring break I wanted to dive into some light reading, so I ordered the first four books of Marian Keyes' Walsh Family series, each of which features one of five sisters raised in semi-wacky Dublin household by a pair of loving but somewhat eccentric parents. Watermelon also happens to be Keyes' first published novel -- published in Ireland in 1995 -- and it shows, including the breezy talent which made her a superstar of chick-lit, the shallowness of character common in that genre which she...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Jocelyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

What Claire always hoped for was this: a gorgeous husband, a good job, a nice home and most recently, an impending baby. So far, so good. What she didn’t expect was for her husband, James, to leave her the day she wakes up after giving birth to their beautiful baby girl.

Heartbroken and reeling, Claire flees back home to Dublin with her parents and siblings, and slowly tries to figure out how to put the picture of her life back together without James but with her daughter, Kate. And things do get...more What Claire always hoped for was this: a gorgeous husband, a good job, a nice home and most recently, an impending baby. So far, so good. What she didn’t expect was for her husband, James, to leave her the day she wakes up after giving birth to their beautiful baby girl.

Heartbroken and reeling, Claire flees back home to Dublin with her parents and siblings, and slowly tries to figure out how to put the picture of her life back together without James but with her daughter, Kate. And things do get better – but then James returns, looking to slot back into the role of husband. Claire has a decision to make: does her life have room for a James-shaped piece any more?

The main reason I enjoy Keyes’ writing is how well she seems to understand her characters; their emotions, their reactions, their thought processes. She has a wonderful grip on the human experience, and in my case at least, that translates into a firm grip on the reader’s attachment to the story. I loved Claire, even while she moved through various stages of dealing with her loss, from the expected to the intolerable. I felt for her when she couldn’t figure out how to face the enormity of her future without James, who had been her constant. I felt for her as she experienced such a deep and abiding love for her daughter, knowing that no-one and nothing else would ever be as precious or important to her than Kate. And I felt the most for Claire when James came back and everything she’d been tentatively rebuilding was threatened.

The novel is not groundbreaking in content or plot line, but that’s not what I need from my beloved chick lit. I read these books for characters I identify with, for people I root for and for an experience I’m affected by. Perhaps because I was so invested in Claire’s well-being, I was infuriated during the penultimate chapters of this story! When James comes back, it doesn’t go exactly as one might expect. I’m not going to tell you why, because I’d hate to ruin the experience, but suffice to say that if you’re not impacted by their story Id be shocked. I also really enjoy Keyes’ conversational style. To begin with it was a little disconcerting to have the protagonist popping into the action with little observations made directly to the reader, but it soon grew on me and made me feel included in the story, invited into Claire’s life. This was (as always for Marian and me) a great read.(less)

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Dec 01, 2012 Sarah Goodwin rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm a lover of chick-lit, and will never call it brainless or fluffy. This is a very good example of chick-lit, it was interesting, had an unexpected plot, a central female character, a host of funny/tragic things and lots of humor.

I loved Claire's parents and sisters, and found their antics very amusing, even if they didn't make me laugh out loud.

Unlike other novels in this genre, this book didn't let me down in terms of content. Everything was individual and new, there was no blonde heroine...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Dalimar rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cuenta a manera de narración las desventuras de Claire ,una chica irlandesa,residente en Londres y acaba de convertirse en madre de una preciosa bebe...con lo que no cuenta Claire es que su esposo James,una contable super aburrido pero a quien ama con todo su corazón la abandona ese mismo día por su vecina,una mujer casada,bastante fea,con mas libras de peso que ella y con hijos.Así que con todo el dolor de su alma a ella no le queda otra que volver a Irlanda a casa de sus padres con su bebe.Su...more Cuenta a manera de narración las desventuras de Claire ,una chica irlandesa,residente en Londres y acaba de convertirse en madre de una preciosa bebe...con lo que no cuenta Claire es que su esposo James,una contable super aburrido pero a quien ama con todo su corazón la abandona ese mismo día por su vecina,una mujer casada,bastante fea,con mas libras de peso que ella y con hijos.Así que con todo el dolor de su alma a ella no le queda otra que volver a Irlanda a casa de sus padres con su bebe.Su familia es algo extraña.Su papa no cuenta nada en la historia,es mas la hubieran dejado huerfana de padre y la historia seguía igual,su mama que no cocina es también bastante atípica ah y ni hablar de dos de sus hermanas que aun viven con sus padres.

La historia esta dentro del genero Chick Lit,que a mi tanto me fascina.De hecho la autora Marian Keyes es considerada junto a Helen Fielding (la autora del Diario de Bridget Jones) como las fundadoras de este genero,que no es mas que otro que cuenta las desventuras,sus sueños y valores de las mujeres ,casi siempre cercana a sus 30 años.Pero en realidad si leemos la biografía de esta autora nos enteramos de sus problemas con el alcohol y sus depresiones y nos damos entonces cuenta del porque sus personajes tienen tanto dramatismo y tanto dolor.Algo que los hace super reales.

En este caso nos narra el dolor y sufrimiento de Claire,al sentirse abandonada por su esposo al que aun ama con toda su alma y en medio de tanto dolor y tanto agobio no le queda otra mas que sacar fuerzas de donde no las siente y tratar de salir de ese pozo oscuro en el que se encuentra por el bien de su hija y de ella misma.En serio su sufrimiento es tal que la historia comienza agonizante y super agobiante.No es hasta que resurge de sus cenizas tal cual Ave Fénix y llega el personaje de Adam,un chico super apuesto,mas joven que ella que la hace sentirse otra vez deseable...pero lamentablemente junto a este también reaparece la no grata figura de James,justo cuando Claire ya se esta haciendo la idea de salir hacia adelante.

Ahora si que viene un spoiler,y no es únicamente adelantar algo de la novela,no es que creo que según mi juicio se le paso al extremo a la autora...porque rayos Claire no se defendio mas y a su hija y le cree tanta estupidez que James le habla para que vuelva a su lado y no le reclama que no solo la dejo cuando mas lo necesitaba,la dejo a ella y a su hija abandonadas a su suerte y regresa a pedir que vuelvan cuando en dos meses ni siquiera sabia el nombre de su hija.Eso sin mencionar que no sabia si estaba pasando hambre o cualquier necesidad.Para mi esto es algo completamente imperdonable.Tanto de James como de la autora.

Claro no quito que el libro sea bastante entretenido,de hecho no encuentro que sea cómico.En realidad las cosas son mas que cómicas absurdas.Eso si,reconozco que la autora supo dejar en suspenso hasta el final el futuro amoroso de Claire.Pero hay que tomar en consideracion que fue el primer libro escrito por Keyes y lo logro justo después de haber salido de rehabilitacion.De todas formas este libro es algo así como una serie,lo digo así pues no es oficialmente una serie.Que el ultimo la historia de Helen aun no ha visto la luz,pues Marian Keyes lamentablemente recayó en su depresión.Espero que se logre recuperar por completo de tan terrible enfermedad y también aunque este primer libro no me dejo 100% satisfecha le voy a dar la oportunidad y seguiré leyendo mas de ella.(less)

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Feb 09, 2012 Karo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, british

I picked this puppy up at the Goodwill Book Fair (an event not to be missed for folks who like their dirt-cheap books) last weekend. The cover was pure cheese, but I'm a sucker for anything that has been granted a favorable nod from the NYT Book Review, so I decided to splurge and pay the 90 cents to get it. What a find! Marian Keyes is a gifted writer -- not in any academic high-falutin' sort of way -- but in a way that you'd like your best friend to talk. She's hilarious, and her descriptions...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Chicklit Junkies

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: contemporary, fiction, humor-and-comedy, novels, romance, ultimate-reading-list, chick-lit

Count me underwhelmed--nay, irked. I tried this because it was recommended on The Ultimate Reading List under the chicklit section. Well, I'm beginning to suspect that with the rare exception (so far, Bridget Jones' Diary) this isn't the kind of book for me. So many of them strike the same tone--overly chirpy obsessed with dress size and the mating game but without the satiric edge of Bridget Jones' Diary or it's ability to make me laugh-out-loud.

The book is centered on Claire Walsh--her husban...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Sơn Phước rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Đây (hình như là) cuốn chicklit đầu tiên mà tôi được đọc. Nhân vật chính (hay tác giả) quá nhiều chuyện. Đúng là bạn đang gặp một người bạn nhưng cô ấy là bà tám. Cứ thử nghĩ thế này. Nếu bạn hỏi anh trai cô ấy khỏe không. Cô ấy sẽ không ngần ngại kể cho bạn nghe rằng vợ anh ấy mới mua cái áo đầm kiểu X màu Y cỡ Z ở tiệm A đường B đối diện với quán C với giá ...Nếu như đủ độ phê thì chuyện con trai anh ấy đi học ra sao, con gái anh ấy yêu đương thế nào.

Cũng như vậy, Claire nói quá nhiều về mọi...more

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Jun 03, 2011 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit

Agh, I must stop NOW! But I can't. The worse they are, the more addicting they become. Yes, I am talking about another Keyes book. This one was one of the better ones I have read if only that it wasn't so bogged down with minor plots and details. Finally!

Claire has just given birth in London when her husband announces he is leaving her and running off with a neighbour. Claire goes back to Dublin and moves back with her parents and two younger sisters. Her youngest sister Helen brings home a clas...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Meg rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is chick-lit, so you can't come in thinking it will be masterfully written. That said, this was worse than most. I picked it up because it was recommended and looked like a quick read. It was even quicker than expected, because I was able to skip a huge portion of the angst at the beginning and jump directly to the climax.

The premise of the book is that Claire's husband announces his affair and their separation on the day that Claire has their baby. The break-up of her marriage leaves Clai...more

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Sep 30, 2010 Shxrxn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I never thought I’d meet a nice man who wanted to marry me. Plenty of lunatics, undoubtedly.
- Claire
There’s a time and a place for spontaneity.
- Claire
I loved books. And I loved reading. And I loved men who read. I loved a man who knew his existentialism from his magic-realism.
- Claire
I knew i was looking at my destiny. My future.
- Claire
I could kind of remember the pain, but it no longer had the power to hurt me.
- Claire
I couldn't remeber the details but i could remember the feeling.
- Claire
I d...more

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Aug 26, 2010 Lucie Wheeler rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

This was a recommendation from a friend and I have not read any of Marian Keyes's other books, so I cannot compare it to her other work; all I can say is what I thought of this particular one.

If I'm honest, when I read the first few chapters I had mixed feelings. Marian has written this book in first person, which is great, but the way she addresses the reader so often is very strange. But in a good way, I might add.
It is just something new to get used t...more I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

This was a recommendation from a friend and I have not read any of Marian Keyes's other books, so I cannot compare it to her other work; all I can say is what I thought of this particular one.

If I'm honest, when I read the first few chapters I had mixed feelings. Marian has written this book in first person, which is great, but the way she addresses the reader so often is very strange. But in a good way, I might add.
It is just something new to get used to, and it makes her writing style very unique. (Well, I haven't come across another book as yet that talks so much to you, the reader, so personally.) It is as if you are in a room with Claire Webster, having a nice girly chat with her about everything. As I said, it took me a couple of chapters to get used to this style of writing but once I had, I loved it. It really makes you connect with the character.

So, about the story itself. Well, It's about a young woman called Claire Webster and the book opens with her giving birth to her first child with husband James. But it all goes downhill from there for poor Claire. James then leaves after admitting to an affair and leaves Claire to deal with the fact that she now has a newborn baby to look after and no husband. She returns home to Ireland to stay with her family and grieve over her loss. Everyone rallies around and we meet most of her family; Mum, Dad, and two of her sisters Helen and Anna. Time goes on and she begins to come through the ordeal when a guy comes along to throw her emotions into turmoil. I wont spoil it by saying what happens but at some point James returns but he isn't as apologetic as maybe he should be. Claire is left with the decision of whether to take him back or not, but does she make the right decision and who, if anyone does she end up with....

The way Marian Keyes describes the long list of emotions Claire suffers after the initial abandonment from James is brilliant and so well written.

This book is an amazing insight to single mothers and their struggles. An extremely well written book which has made me want to buy more of her work. I cant wait to read the next one.(less)

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Jul 31, 2010 Wicked Incognito Now rated it 3 of 5 stars

I don't know exactly how I feel about this book. On one hand, I enjoyed the story. I am strangely drawn to stories of wives being unexpectedly dumped by their husbands. I suppose it's because I imagine it as one of the worst things that could happen to a woman (aside from the death of loved ones or contracting a fatal disease, etc). Anyway, I liked the story and I find the Walsh family utterly charming.

I think Marian Keyes has a particular style that is amusing and absorbing. She goes beyond th...more

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Jan 13, 2010 Chloe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Claire Webster is ecstatically happy after giving birth to her first child, a daughter with husband James. However, her dream is shattered when he announced hours after the birth that he's leaving her for another woman. Claire's in shock and flees London to her family home in Dublin, where her mother, father and sister are waiting to take in a distraught Claire and new baby. Claire's determined to win back her man but at what cost? Or will Claire outgrow James as she grows as a mother to their d...more Claire Webster is ecstatically happy after giving birth to her first child, a daughter with husband James. However, her dream is shattered when he announced hours after the birth that he's leaving her for another woman. Claire's in shock and flees London to her family home in Dublin, where her mother, father and sister are waiting to take in a distraught Claire and new baby. Claire's determined to win back her man but at what cost? Or will Claire outgrow James as she grows as a mother to their daughter?

The story dove straight into its main theme, with Claire narrating in the first person from the birth of her baby. The narrative is honest and funny, despite the terrible circumstances that Claire finds herself in. This seems to be a talent of Keyes, writing a miserable storyline in a funny and happy way, so that the characters aren't dull or funny, but actually endearing and quite friendly despite everything. I really liked Claire straight away, and just from the first few pages I knew I was going to like her and consequently like the book because of this.

As its written from Claire's perspective, the story is obviously biased towards Claire and her side of the story, but this obviously works well as James is supposed to be a right sod anyway. Keyes writes this relationship in a clever way, making James out to be an awful man, although still having Claire love her husband, as people indeed do despite what their partners do to them. And the other enjoyable part of the book for me was reading Clare developing as a mother, starting off clueless and scared, but becoming confident although nervous at leaving her daughter alone for her first night out...it reminded me so much of myself! This was a joy to read, and Keyes has really reached the inner emotions of a new mum here, making it fantastic reading.

The Walsh family themselves, who are Claire's family, are a great laugh. She has traditional parents who are hilarious but clearly want the best for their daughter and grand-daughter, but it is her sisters that are the best characters in the book. Claire has 3 sisters, Rachel and Margaret (who we don't meet in this book), hippy Anna who lives in a drug-induced dreamworld and bitchy Helen, a typically stroppy 18 year old who thinks the world revolves are her and her lovelife. In fact, the family were such a hit with readers that Keyes has gone on to base a further 3 books about the sisters which I am excited about reading!

This book is a really heart-warming tale despite what sounds like a bit of a depressing storyline. Being written in the first person, you can instantly warm to Claire and her plight, and although her circumstances are pretty dire, she still writes in a humourous way, making you laugh along the way with her words. The book really kicks in when it arrives in Dublin and the family is introduced to us. The way her family rallies around her is lovely and heart-warming, and is a true testament to the strength of families when you're in need. The characters are all brilliantly written, from Claire to her sisters, to the horrid James (who gets worse as the book goes on believe it or not!) to Laura and Adam, characters who appear gradually throughout the book.

At 520 pages long, the book is quite long but I didn't find that it dragged too much which was good. I'm always worried with rather long books that they are going to drag a bit and lose their way in the middle, but Keyes has kept up the pace nicely with one and it doesn't deviate from its plot at all. It develops in a plausible way, with Claire's character growing throughout the book fantastically, allowing you to feel for her struggles and applauding her strength. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good chick-lit book with an uplifting and enjoyable storyline. A great read. And in case you're wondering about the title, a watermelon is what Claire likens her post-pregnancy body to!

ISBN: 978-0099489986 (please note this ISBN is for the newest edition of the book printed in 2005), the book was originally released in 1995. The newest paperback version contains 520 pages. Published by Arrow Books Ltd. Available on Amazon for £5.54 although I got my copy in a charity shop for just 50 pennies! For more information on Marian Keyes, see her website at www.mariankeyes.com.

Oh, and the other books involving the Walsh family are:
Rachel's Holiday (1998)
Angels (2001)
Anybody Out There? (2006) (less)

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Nov 02, 2009 Leanne rated it 1 of 5 stars

It's like reading about a fifteen-year-old written by a twelve-year-old. Pick this up if you're interested in a woman who has absolutely no self-respect, who can't make any decisions for herself, who has a ridiculously annoying family, who neglects her child, who is a self-serving, self-obsessed annoying brat. Read it if you can stomach emotions being anthropomorphized and, um, living in her head, or if you like your men nit-picking, childish pricks who hedge on emotionally abusive.

I guess what...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Valen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: will-read-again

I literally fell in love with this novel! What happened to Claire is not far from reality. I liked it because of the truthfulness of the story, the honesty of emotions and the connection of the characters to each other.
I can honestly say that I somehow understand what Claire is going through. And I can assume that most can relate to Claire's situation. The story does happen in real life and is something that can happen to anybody. Whether you like it or not, life's unexpectancies can hit you...more

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Jun 30, 2010 Emma rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, fiction

I don't think I've ever been so glad to finish a book. Of course I wasn't expecting this to be a literary masterpiece but I thought being to some degree enjoyable wouldn't have been too much to ask.

The premise is probably standard for a chick-lit novel - a woman's husband tells her he's been having an affair for six months and is leaving her the day she gives birth to their first child. But that all happens within the first few pages and it seems that nothing else of much interest occurs in the...more

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Jun 23, 2010 (´*•.¸ღBexღ¸.•*´) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Quintin Merwe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Always refreshing to pick up another Marian Keyes novel after taking a break. The depth of the emotion portrayed in the book as well as the snippets of reality (you know those moments when you stop and admit to yourself that there's truth behind some of the funny stories in the book - not that we'll admit it out loud) definitely makes it worth the read.
It is not just funny and lighthearted, but a 'deep' and very emotional journey that the reader embarks on with the character. One would grow wit...more

1 like · like · see review

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About Marian Keyes

Marian Keyes, born September 10, 1963, is a popular Irish writer, considered to be one of the original progenitors of "chick lit". Keyes' first novel, Watermelon, was published in Ireland in 1995. Since then she has published seven further novels and two collections of non-fiction, and has sold 15 million copies of her books in 30 languages.

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Trivia About Watermelon

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Quotes from Watermelon

“Failed relationships can be described as so much wasted make-up.” — 373 people liked it

“The feel of them (books) and the smell of them. A bookshop was like an Aladdin's cave for me. Entire worlds and lives can be found just behind that glossy cover. All you had to do was look." Claire (Watermelon)” — 60 people liked it

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title link	preview: Watermelon
avg rating	preview: Watermelon Goodreads rating: 3.74 (27609 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9300.Watermelon?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345767584l/9300.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9300.Watermelon?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Watermelon by Marian Keyes[/url]

Watermelon (Walsh Family #1)

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