Plan to meet author works out well

CHASING MARIAN

Amy Heydenrych, Qarnita Loxton, Pamela Power, Gail Schimmel

Loot.co.za (R215)

MACMILLAN

THE four authors listed above are all established writers and also friends and when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, continuing to 2021, as we all know, there were no person to person contact literary fests; little contact and, you know the rest. These four talented authors, decided that instead of burying their heads in the sand, they would rather divert their disappointment into collaborating on writing a novel together.

The book is in fact focused on another well-known author; the top-selling international writer Marian Keyes. Four diverse people come together with a crazy plan – they hear the writer will be visiting the country and decide – come hell or high water – they are going to meet her. Jess is a yummy mummy on the brink of divorce and disintegration; Ginger is a granny who is happily widowed; Matt is a sensitive young man who is almost qualified as a psychologist, and Queenie is a Cape Town librarian whose boyfriend is far from present and she harbours a secret writing habit.

The four characters meet online and find delightful connections and friendship. It’s not revealed and you may or may not gather which of the real time authors wrote each alternating chapter about these four Marian Keyes fans. But one thing is for sure in this quirky and hugely entertaining novel, about four strangers, two cities and a chance online meeting: you’ll find a cohesive story that is both heartwarming and hilarious. Of it, Marian Keyes herself said: “Warm, funny and moving – I LOVED it!”