charming book about a not so charming man
I've wanted to read a Marian Keyes book for a long time now and this was the first one I've managed to get my hands on. This Irish novelist is very popular with the female audience and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I was expecting a light, romantic comedy, but it was more than that. I found myself reading through heavy issues domestic violence, male/female power (im)balance, depression, alcoholism, infidelity
The novel is segmented into four different female perspectives Lola, Grace, Marnie and Alicia all of which have a connection to Paddy de Courcy, the charming man of the title. I like that Keyes gave each woman a voice and each character is fully developed and unique. Lola is the highlight. She may take a little time to warm to with all her frustratingly unhinged behaviour at the start of the book, but her oddball adventures and amusing narration make her a joy to read. She is the main source of humour in the novel and is reminiscent of Bridget Jones in the way her story unfolds as though a series of diary entries.
While Keyes does express a good sense of humour through her characters, she also knows how to write private, troubling emotions with sincerity. The account of one character's depression is gut-wrenching, her confidence so low she expects to fail at everything, even the simplest tasks at work. Such emotions are hard to read at times, frustrating even, but the well-balanced sense of fun and humour offers reprieve (never in a way that undermines the validity or seriousness of the women's issues).
There is also a good sense of intrigue throughout this book. As I read, Keyes frequently made it apparent that the whole story wasn't being told, certain details weren't being divulged by her characters just yet, and I would have to read on to find answers to each little mystery. Subsequently, I got through this book quickly despite its hefty size.
This Charming Man wasn't what I expected, but it was nonetheless engaging and quite enjoyable. I was impressed and will no doubt read more Marian Keyes in the future.
Guest, 21/10/2009
