‘MY JOURNEY FROM DESPAIR TO FAME
MARIAN KEYES
With book sales of 35 million and climbing, Marian Keyes is one of the most successful female authors of all time. Yet despite topping the bestseller lists for the last two decades and winning countless awards in the process, her life wasn’t always a success.
At the age of 30, she attempted suicide and ended up in rehab, following a long battle with alcoholism. However, this dramatic low turned out to be a turning point in her life. Emerging several months later, she penned her first hit novel and the rest, as they say, is history.
But while 26 years have passed since she got sober and found success, the author, now 56, is still very much aware that her demons are lying beneath the surface.
“I am still ‘her’ in many ways,” she tells New Idea in her gentle Irish lilt. “I don’t want to drink – it doesn’t occur to me – but that’s because I maintain my sobriety.
“My alcoholism is very present and requires constant upkeep and maintenance. But [sobriety] is worth it, because I get so much freedom from not drinking.
“Any person who takes recovery seriously knows that they’re never totally cured.”
While the author has managed to find equilibrium in her life now, looking back at that dark period still fills her with terror.
“I would really hate to go back to how I was then,” she admits. “But I do feel a lot more compassion for myself for the way I was then. I had no idea how to live or how to manage my emotions.”
Unsurprisingly, Marian’s experiences have translated into novels suffused with real-life grit. Amid the humour and happy endings, she tackles hard-hitting subjects ranging from depression and drug addiction, to alcoholism and domestic violence. And in her latest offering, Grown Ups, the queen of the page-turner turns her talents to secrets and eating disorders.
“My position is that all addiction comes from the same place,” she says of writing about character Cara’s bulimia.
“From that feeling of not being good enough, or not feeling complete. It just so happens that mine was alcohol. For Cara it’s bingeing and purging, but she’s doing it for the same reasons that I drank.”
Another theme tackled in her 14th novel is secrets.
“I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO LIVE, OR HOW TO MANAGE MY EMOTIONS”
Specifically, the troubles that they can cause. It’s a testament to how the writer lives her life – honestly.
“They say you’re as sick as your secrets,” Marian reflects. “I started writing around the same time as I got sober. I didn’t want to be person with a public profile who had something big and dark hidden.
“Also, I never felt that alcoholism was something to be ashamed of. For me, life is just a lot easier being honest.
“I don’t want to lie – I find it exhausting and it shames me. I’d rather say: ‘This is who I am.’ I’m not pretending to be somebody that I’m not.”
She’s equally candid about her age, saying, “I don’t mind getting older at all.”
“There are times that I feel sorry living through my 20s – a decade without the happiness you’re meant to feel at that age – but
I wouldn’t have my youth back for anything. Getting older is good!”
While she’s actually only four years shy of 60, Marian’s looks belie her age. And she’s quick to point out her beauty secret.
“I have Botox in my forehead!” she says. “I always want to say that, because I want to be honest.
“It took me a long time to do it, but now I love it. I don’t look like I’m frowning all the time!”
Fresh-faced, successful and content – and with Grown Ups receiving rave reviews – the literary star is happier than she’s ever been.
“I’m still pinching myself
– I really am!” she enthuses. “I know this might sound trite, but I am ridiculously lucky.
“The grim years were worth going through, so that I can feel the peace of mind I do now. They’ve put things into perspective.
“Yes, there have been ups and downs since, but I’m very much counting my blessings.”
THE QUEEN OF THE PAGETURNER OPENS UP ABOUT ADDICTION, BOTOX AND EMBRACING HER FIFTIES