Rating: 
Summary: Saved by Irish wit
Review: This collection of rather pedestrian essays is saved from being a total loss by the Irish wit of its author, Marian Keyes. Her sarcasm and over-the-top wit help to punch up the humor in spots, but her essays are certainly not in the same category as other modern-day essayists. Many of us can relate to her experiences of flaky building contractors, marriage and family, and more, but all of this has been mined before. It wasn't a laugh riot, and it isn't really a must-read.
Rating: 
Summary: For hardcore Keyes fans only
Review: Under the Duvet is a collection of essays by Keyes, most of which were previously published in Irish or British newpapers. It does give you a deeper look into the author's life, with chapters about moving back to Ireland, her past drinking problems (the inspiration for Watermelon), what a publicity tour is like, etc. There are also loads of columns about somewhat random things- shoes, soccer, mother's day, religon, and Irishness. Everything is well-written and most are funny, but I think they're more suited to newspaper features than a whole book. Note: I have the Brit edition, so the American edition may be slightly different.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun and insightful look into the author's life!
Review: Under the Duvet is a fun, quick look into the life of Marian Keyes, one of my favorite chick-lit novelists. She shares her takes on shoes, yoga, writing, marriage and other tidbits with wit, insight and earnestness. However, there are some entries that appear to have been embellished or exaggerated for comic purposes. For instance, the entry about traveling to Los Angeles to discuss a potential movie deal reminds me a great deal of Margaret in Angels. Keyes, like Margaret, exaggerates about the L.A. lifestyle to the max. Also, her entries about the magazine industry are not unlike the ones in Sushi for Beginners. I understand that she's taken bits of her life and added them to her novels -- every author does that -- but the aforementioned entries have fictional elements. I feel that nonfiction should be 100% factual. Other than that, Under the Duvet is a great treat for die-hard Marian Keyes fans. You'll laugh and nod in agreement. This book is a great reminder of Keyes's talent. I await The Other Side of the Story, her next novel, with utmost anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Novelists Who Turn to Non-Fiction
Review: Under the Duvet is the latest of a small genre that consists of the short non-fiction works (columns, essays, random thoughts) of writers who are better-known for their novels. Alice Thomas Ellis, who is best-known for The Summer Trilogy novels, also wrote the Home Life series, a collection of columns about her everyday life in Wales. Sue Townsend wrote the Adrian Mole stories and recently published a collection of columns about her everyday life called The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman. Amy Tan collects her musings and thoughts in The Opposite of Fate. Writers who are successful in spinning good stories seem to be able to take mundane situations and turn them into good stories. This is a real treat for people like me who read very little fiction. So how does Marian Keyes's new book measure up? Under the Duvet starts promisingly, with a short piece about her life as a not-so-glamorous novelist, and a previously unpublished essay about the eight months she wrote a cosmetics column for a magazine. These are probably the best bits in the book. Maybe you do have to enjoy the fiction of the author to also enjoy their non-fiction. I confess I have not read any of Keyes's fiction. There's too much in Under the Duvet about shopping and shoes for my taste, but readers of Keyes's fiction might find that a plus. Some of the pieces are on subjects that desperately need an original angle, but are not getting it here. For instance, on her trip to Los Angeles, Keyes predictably mentions the smog, silicone enhancements, and botox, and the fact that no one walks. I probably wouldn't have noticed her over-fondness for the word "eejit" (idiot) if I had read these pieces over time, rather than in two days. Still, I enjoyed reading these essays and columns, and although they haven't inspired me to read Keyes's fiction, I will continue to hunt down books like this. Anyone know of any others?
Rating:
Summary: Mostly for Fans
Review: Under the Duvet is the latest of a small genre that consists of the short non-fiction works (columns, essays, random thoughts) of writers who are better-known for their novels. George Orwell may fit this category, but I am thinking more along the lines of Alice Thomas Ellis and Sue Townsend. ... So how does Marian Keyes's new book measure up? Under the Duvet starts promisingly, with a short piece about the life of a not-so-glamorous novelist, and a previously unpublished essay about the eight months she wrote a cosmeticscolumn for a magazine. These are probably the best bits in the book. Maybe you have to enjoy the fiction of the author to also enjoy their non-fiction. I confess I have not read any of Keyes's fiction. There's too much in Under the Duvet about shopping and shoes for my taste, but readers of Keyes's fiction might find that a plus. Some of the pieces are on subjects that desperately need an original angle, but are not getting it here. For instance, on her trip to Los Angeles, Keyes predictably mentions the smog, [breast] jobs and botox, and the fact that no one walks. And I probably wouldn't have noticed her over-fondness for the word "eejit" (idiot) if I had read these pieces over time, rather than in two days. Still, I enjoyed reading these essays and columns, and although they haven't inspired me to read Keyes's fiction[.] ...
Rating: 
Summary: A True Feel of the Emerald Isle
Review: What a joy ... just like finding a pot of gold under a rainbow! Marian Keyes has us longing for a return to the Emerald Isle with a fun book that is best read by sticking a finger in the pages and finding the start of a chapter! From an author who writes in bed readers will be transposed into the Irish mindset and if you really try you can slow the pace of your life and be one with the Irish for a moment or two. The anthology of columns shows that Marian's writing has great effect for a quickie read as well as being enveloped in her novels.
Rating:
Summary: I think her fiction is much better.
Review: When I found this book I assumed that it would be great because I really enjoy Marian Keyes' fiction. I have to admit that I felt let down by her autobiographical stories. Some of the things that she had to say were humorous, but overall, I have to give this a dud rating.
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