Further Under the Duvet

Under the Duvet #2

by Marian Keyes

Slide "Further Under the Duvet", get yourself comfortable and let Marian take you places you've never been before. Places like the Irish air-guitar championships, a shopping trip to Bloomingdales with a difference and Cannes with a chronic case of Villa-itis. Along the way you'll encounter knicker-politics, fake tans, sticky-out ears and passionate love affairs both with make-up and Toblerones. And of course, agony aunt, Mammy Walsh is on hand to solve all your problems. Hilarious and poignant, down-to-earth and moving, Marian's long-awaited second volume of journalism and previously unpublished writing is the modern woman's perfect companion. So put the kettle on and grab that Kit Kat Chunky everything else will wait.

Genres: Chick Lit, Nonfiction, Romance, Humor, Short Stories, Biography, Essays

394 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2005

About the author

Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women's literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes including domestic violence and alcoholism.

Reviews

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Fecking’ is a lovely Irish word our Lord gave us when we’re irate enough to want to say ‘fucking’ but we’re in polite company. It’s barely a swear word at all. ‘Fecking’ is a beautiful, effective catch-all phrase that you could say to a bishop. As a result I almost never employ ‘fucking’. Rarely, very rarely. Like the time when Margaret arrived home to tell me she’d left her droopy-drawers husband, and even then I waited until I was in my bedroom and only said it to Mr Walsh. (I believe the exact phrase I used was, ‘For fuck’s fucking sake, why can’t just fucking one of my fucking daughters stay fucking well married for five fucking minutes?’ And Mr Walsh replied, ‘Fucked if I know.’ And then I said, ‘No fucking need for language like that.’

- Mammy Walsh on swearing

I’m happy to report that ‘Further Under the Duvet’ is not just more of the same, but actually surpasses it’s predecessor - darn near a full five star read. Short humorous ones to laugh at, keen observations to agree with, short stories to be swept away by and a few dark ones to shed a tear to. Just read it!

[Kat A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was slow to start, with many of the articles seemingly rehashed from Under the Duvet, but picked up in the end. There was a continuation of the story of Keyes' alcoholism, and how she started writing and a few articles about her charity work in Ethiopia and Russia. The best part was at the end, where she printed some of her previously unpublished short stories, including the one she credits with spear-heading her recovery. So the story goes, while recovering from a particularly spectacular binge, she read a short story in a magazine and though, "I'd like to do that", then proceeded to write her first short story. Eventually she sent it to a publisher, and the rest is history. A bit simplistic, but encouraging, none the less. It made me wonder why I'd let my own writing slide, and hopefully will inspire me to pick it up again. Not to worry, my blog is not an indication of anything, most of the time when I'm writing here, I'm dashing off thoughts as fast as they appear in my brain. I really should take the time to post more thoughtfully, not to mention edit more thoughtfully, as Amy does, but I'm sure she has her post and run moments too! :)

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marian Keyes continues her column on the trials and troubles that afflict the modern Irish gal trying to wend her way through the world. While readers of Under the Duvet will find familiar material peeking out here and there, there is plenty of new fodder to have her devoted readers flipping through and grinning from ear to ear.

From free cosmetics to new mothers who are dead bores about their children to the agony of traveling with fellow Irish folk lustily belting out the loud, foot-stomping tunes so dear to the Gaelic heart, Marian Keyes leads us through her wild roving life (sorry) and invites us to laugh along with her. As an added bonus, Ms. Keyes has included several short stories in this collection, proving that she’s as gifted a short story writer as she is a novelist and journalist.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Further Under the Duvet is the second volume of Marian Keyes journalism, and this time also some short stories are included. I didn't enjoy the book as much as the first one (Under the Duvet). The first three sections of the book (which were about shopping, traveling and beauty) were actually quite shallow, and not that funny. MK gave a shallow picture of her self. Sections 4-6 were more serious (being about feminism, kids etc), and more interesting and funnier.

As for the short stories at the end of the book: They shouldn't have been included. MK just shouldn't write short stories. They become too simple, and not especially funny. Even stupid. MK reads her 500 pages to develop her stories into something really worth reading... And she should leave alone things that aren't of this world (angels and aliens). And the same goes for subjects as serious as women that are beaten by their husbands... It just becomes too shallow, especially in a 10 page story.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another funny collection or articles from Marian Keyes. This one also included some short stories of hers, not usually much of a fan of short stories but I really liked all the ones in her! Also a Mammy Walsh problem page is featured between stories. Very good!

[Aurora Shele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same book like Cracks under my foundation with a few more stories but basically the same. So same rating as the other one.

[Juliana Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by this book initially as I was expecting it to be a selection of short stories - however, it is a series of anecdotes from the author's life. Once i got used to the idea (!) they were quite funny and I could relate to a lot of them as she seems to have a lot of fairly typical comedy obsessions about silly things, like most of us! Towards the end of the book, some proper short stories creep in and I must admit I didn't enjoy these as much as the rest of the book. Definitely a good one to dip in and out of!

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Marion Keyes. Her books are light reading yet her characters have depth and you will see so many parallels with their lives and your own. I love her strong yet vulnerable women. I liken her books a little to a roller coaster ride...I laugh out loud, I get teary, become angry, wistful and so many other emotions. I have yet to start one of her books and put it down without having finished it.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another collection of hilarious anecdotes from Marian Keyes.... from shopping, travel, life, men & fashion, Marian takes you on a journey into her weird & wonderful world.

I laughed at her adventures with fake tan in Faking It, holidays with the family in Villa-itis....& was touched by her visit to Russian Orphanages in Rebuilding Children.
Then there's also a collection of short stories including a few visits to Mammy Walsh's Problem Page - enjoyed it all!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like everything Marian Keyes has written this is rollicking good fun and still has moments of deep seriousness.

[Zee D · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most hilarious book I have ever read!

[Ape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marian Keyes' second collection of shorts - from the witty little brain-fluff articles, to tales of travel, and some short story fiction including some of the Mammy Walsh agony aunt letters.

I don't read much chick lit, but I do have time for Marian Keyes. Not only was she one of the first, but she is intelligent, funny and her stories are not happy-happy ridiculous. Yes, you'll probably get a happy ending, but there are real life traumas and problems in these stories. Keyes herself has "lived" and hasn't always had it easy, which gives her insight (not saying in order to be a good author you have to live through hell personally of course).

I enjoy her little tales of her own life the most. There is the very frank and honest account of her own alcoholism and climb back out - and she's a sucess story, because from out of all that started her writing career. I loved the tale of when she needed a new passport in a couple of days' time and her experiences of the Irish embassy in London. I rather liked the story of the jilted woman left with about 30 odd shoes.

On the other side, the travels in Africa - Ethiopia specifically - for charity work were eye opening. And the charity work with Russian orphanages was just heart breaking.

The first few, focusing on fashion and all that felt a little dated. But then this compilation came out in 2005, so in consideration, most of these are kicking on 20 years of age now (incidentally, how on earth can Marian Keyes now be kicking on 60????) and I wasn't a massive fan. But then with compliations it always is a mixed bag. You love some, you don't some.

[Zoë · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up at a NT second hand bookshop as some light holiday reading, because I like the sound of Marian Keyes when she was in discussion with Richard Osman about writing at the end of the audiobook of the Thursday Murder Club.

As a compilation, I shouldn't have been surprised to find published and unpublished magazine articles, plus a few short stories that were about the calibre of a Year 11 creative writing coursework... Maybe I'm being cruel, and I was already turned against the author in my struggle to relate to her passions for makeup and designer handbags. It felt dated - Mammy Walsh's problem pages are probably supposed to be straight-talking, no nonsense, but seemed quite offensive in this day and age, as were the multiple references to 'transvestites'.

The redeeming elements were the honest examination of her alcoholism and stories of travelling to Russian orphanages and Ethiopian aid projects - these held my attention better than her cajoling tales of book tours, Irish people on mini busses or shopping in New York. Still, it was encouraging to think that, with a regular column in Women & Home or Cosmopolitan, you could make a living from writing vagely funny, slightly vapid observations on your life. That'd be the dream.... But for the decline of the print press!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warm and witty reflections on modern life alongside some short stories that fans will recognise fed into plotlines and characters in later novels. Doesn't shy away from difficult subject matters but they're handled with sensitivity and a sense of reconciliation. Funny, poignant, touching and always entertaining.


"Valya was fabulous. (And just a small bit mad, as befits a woman who has just been left by her husband.) I loved her. I am always at my happiest with slightly mad people."

"But most of us haven't the energy to be active feminists; we're knackered, holding down demanding jobs, getting our roots done, fighting low-level depression, trying to do Pilates, doing school runs if we have children or agonizing about when the best time to have a baby would be, if we haven't. We don't have it all. We're too busy doing it all, to have it all... What feminism needs is a make-over... For example, did you know you can be a feminist and a) wear pink, b) have sex with men, c) enjoy a good laugh? Amazing, no? As long as you believe you're entitled to the same rights as everyone else (i.e men) you're a feminist. See, that's not so bad, is it?"


"I'm sad but I will live with it... It's taken me forty years to discover that I can have confrontations- and survive."


"...life is what happens while we're waiting for it to be perfect enough to live it."


"...she tried to swallow away the sweet, hard stone of sadness in her chest. But, even as she felt the loss, she knew she was going to be fine. In the midst of the grief, at the eye of the storm, was the certainty that she was going to cope with this. She was alone and it was okay."


"It complicated things that I loved him. Or had loved him... seeing how wrong I'd been was hard to suck up. Especially because we sometimes had our good days. Even now. There were times when he was like the person I first met. But I wasn't. My stomach was always a walnut of nerves, wound tight with anxiety, wondering what would happen to tip his mood... The more he hit me, the less sure of myself I became. At times he almost had me convinced it was what I deserved."

[Koivula]

First this book felt a bit boring (as I hate shopping...) but later on I could quite agree with the author! (e.g. the bus journey and the lack of sound proofing in hotels!)
p. 191: "Life is what happens while we're waiting for it to be perfect enough to live it." This is what we should remember!

Popsugar: 36 (a pink cover)
Suomi mainittu: s. 85 ("...it made me wish I was Finnish. They are fairly taciturn, aren't they?") ja s.178 (at the final of the first Irish air- guitar-playing championship. The winner would go on to represent Ireland in the world championship in Finland.) "We'll be shamed in Finland if they're all as bad as him."

[Arrow Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of her opinions, some of it can seem quite harmful, a little thoughtless. Her short stories were truly amazing. Loved them all that is probably what got her 3 stars. I probably would have rated it 1 star if it weren't for her short stories and her story of growth through alcoholism as well as her adventures with to Russia with love. I did not like mammy Welsh she is quite problematic

* after a day of sitting with it, this is a 2 star book

[Sonja]

I dnf'd it about 25% the way through. I love her fiction, but these anecdotes and stories wore thin after a while. It gave me the impression (perhaps falsely )that she may be an attention seeker and a bit self absorbed.

[Mae Leveson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some parts of Marian’s book which had me laughing out loud, particularly the anecdote relating to her passport. Whilst I enjoyed most of her stories and find her a very entertaining speaker, this wasn’t a favourite read.

[Franziska Self Fisken · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little less funny than her previous "Under the Duvet", but easy to read, lighthearted, often funny. I like how the proceeds of the sales of this book go to an Irish charity. Her short story about alcoholism is wise, honest and funny at the same time.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, it's quite funny and I love the honesty.

[Christina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good as can put up and pick down when you get a chance. Funny and heart warming

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I’m honest I got slightly bogged down with some of the early journalism tales. On the other hand the short stories at the end were far more entertaining by and large.

[Nola · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't normally read fiction I bought this when travelling, it took me a while to finish it. I didn't get a lot of the Irish stories, perhaps it's me.

[Hannah Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody hilarious!!!

[Amanda Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a good quick read with lots of short chapters of funny events that happened to Marian, a bit dated now, but still relevant. Loved the little short stories at the end

[Michelle Maynard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Marian Keyes’ books but this just wasn’t my cup of tea. The short stories were funny and entertaining but I like to get into a story, get to know the characters and loose yourself. Sorry!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, funny, witty, light-hearted. A delight!

[Rodianne Sammut · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy the concept of short stories.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never met a Marian Keyes book I didn't love

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I much prefer Keyes' non fiction to her fiction.

Perfect cosy reading for bed time with a hot chocolate.