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5 Minute Interview: Marian Keyes

Posted on 10th April 2016 by Sally Campbell

Marian Keyes - who will be appearing at the London Book & Screen Week on Tuesday - answers ten quick questions.

An international publishing phenomenon, Marian Keyes is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time. She has written 13 novels, been translated into 33 languages, and sold over 33 million copies worldwide.

On Tuesday (12th April), Marian will appear in a special event, talking to Good Housekeeping about Making It Up As I Go Along, her new collection of essays on modern life.

This event is part of London Book & Screen Week, a seven-day, citywide celebration of books and the films, TV programmes and virtual worlds they inspire, running 11 – 17 April, 2016.

What was the last book you read?

Paradise Lodge by Nina Stibbe

And what did you read it on?

A paper copy. I’m one of the lucky people who got a proof – it’s wonderful.

What’s next on your reading list?

A Death in the Family by Karl Ove Knausgaard

What is your favourite book to screen adaptation?

Gone With the Wind

What TV series are you obsessing over right now?

Series 5 of Scandal, Thicker Than Water (Swedish thing) and Ray Donovan.

Go on, let us know your musical guilty pleasure….

George Michael, ALWAYS George! Except I don’t feel guilty about it.

…and one from the world of fiction?

Weeeeeelll, I don’t really hold with people feeling guilty about books that give them pleasure. Who gets to say which books are worthy and which books we should feel guilty about?

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Danny de Vito

What was your first job?

Washing dishes in a pizza restaurant.

Who has been your greatest inspiration, and why?

Mammy Keyes. Knows how to tell a great story – the importance of capturing an entire person in 3 or 4 adjectives; withholding vital plot points until the right moment and dropping moments of intrigue just when interest is flagging. I learnt from a master.

Making It Up As I Go Along is available in hardback now.