Under the Duvet

January 1, 2004
In lesser hands, a collection of personal essays such as these might read like a self-indulgent exercise in tedium. Happily, Irish novelist Keyes (Angels; Sushi for Beginners) doesn't take herself too seriously, and her essays, many of which were previously published in magazines, manage to strike the right balance of true-to-life observations, confessions and pointed humor. As the title suggests, her topics run the gamut: friends and family, her work, her shoe obsession. She also offers wry observations on the different cultures she's encountered on her book tours. In L.A., for example, she describes dining at a restaurant where the waiter,"a firm-jawed, orange plastic type," recited the day's specials--all fat- and lactose-free, of course. When her friend ordered a steak,"there was an appalled intake of breath. Red Meat!" Keyes' essay on her recovery from alcoholism avoids the pitfalls of sappiness or self-congratulation; dodging overly"poetic" embellishments, she just tells it like it is. At her lowest point, she recounts her suicide attempt:"Hardly believing what I was doing, I swallowed every pill I could find and waited to die. But as I drifted into unconsciousness, I had a moment of clarity ... maybe I could live without alcohol." But most of the essays never touch such depressing topics. In fact, Keyes' unexpected, hilarious one-liners liberally fill out her essays, such as her description of the ordeal of house hunting. Shocked at how young her real estate agent appears, Keyes tells her husband,"I'm not buying a house from someone whose balls haven't dropped yet." Her fiction fans will delight in this comic look at the author's life.

January 1, 2004
Read these essays in any order you please, encourages Irish novelist Keyes (Sushi for Beginners) in her introduction to this entertaining collection of essays addressing a variety of topics, such as moving to a new country, getting married, sustaining long-term friendships, experiencing childbirth, buying a new home, dealing with sluggish contractors, celebrating the New Year, and living in London. Other subjects include the author's travels to places like Los Angeles, Prague, Greece, and Vietnam. Organized into seven categories, the pieces are culled primarily from magazine and newspaper publications, but a few have not been published previously. Keyes takes on her subjects with humor and candor and often provides useful introductory comments to establish background. The strongest piece is the one on Keyes's struggle with alcoholism. Its raw and honest tone alone makes the book worth a purchase. Highly recommended for all public libraries and larger academic libraries.-Erica Swenson Danowitz, American Univ. Lib., Washington, DC

Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

December 15, 2003
Best-selling Irish author Keyes is known for her sassy, warmhearted women's fiction (" Sushi for Beginners" [BKL Je 1 & 15 03]; " Angels "[My 15 02]). She is also a journalist, and this collection of 47 nonfiction pieces, most of which have been published previously in magazines and newspapers, sports her trademark irreverent spin on issues close to a woman's heart. The short articles are grouped into seven sections dealing with the writing life, personal possessions, friends and family, acting like an adult, holidays, Irishness, and travel abroad. Topics include women's obsession with shoes, the fitting-into-the-wedding-dress diet, buying a house, and Botox and other miracles. She is especially funny on the topic of marriage--after her husband requests her assistance in finding his cuff links at 7 a.m., she chants, "The womb is not a locating device." She is serious in spots, as when she discusses her alcoholism, and some of the pieces seem dated (most are from the late '90s). Still, her fans will want to get an up-close look at this wildly popular author.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)