Marian Keyes’ Books, In Order

Marian Keyes, the Irish comic novelist, famously composes her novels from a prone position: “alone, in a darkened bedroom, wearing my PJs, eating bananas, my laptop on a pillow in front of me,” as she explained in her 2001 essay collection Under the Duvet. And there is no better way to consume her brilliantly comforting books either.

Despite their pretty pastel covers, Marian Keyes’ books explore themes of disordered eating, domestic violence, addiction, and much more; Keyes has been open about her own struggles with her mental health and often writes from experience. But her writing is never heavy nor difficult; she dances through what could be bleak subject matter with nimbleness and the bright-eyed twinkle of the romcom. How many have you read?

The Walsh Sisters series

Keyes is probably best known for her series of six books featuring the Irish Catholic Walsh family: sisters Anna, Rachel, Claire, Maggie and Helen, plus their mother (‘Mammy Walsh’) and father (‘Daddy Walsh’). The rough and tumble of their family dynamic—with all its sibling rivalries, black humour and fond familiarity—brings an incredible liveliness and warmth to the page. Keyes’ novels are neither too sweet nor too sour: for every hug there is a pinch, and for every insult a soft pat on the shoulder. (The Walsh family novels are, in order: Watermelon; Rachel’s Holiday; Angels; Anybody Out There; The Mystery of Mercy Close; Again, Rachel; and My Favourite Mistake.)

Standalone novels

Marian Keyes has also written nine further novels, each notable for their humour and light-touch handling of darker themes.

Collections

As well as her bestselling novels, Marian Keyes has written short fiction, journalism, memoir and even a book of recipes.