Marian Keyes and the Politics of Commercial Fiction

Marian Keyes is one of Ireland's most important fiction authors but is often not celebrated as such. Keyes' novels draw on the author's trademark charm, wit, and pathos, yet her girly packaging and light-hearted marketing resulted in far too little critical attention and celebration compared to her literary contemporaries. Since Marian Keyes first started publishing in 1995, Ireland has changed significantly, from the legalisation of divorce to same-sex marriage and abortion, to the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger. Marian Keyes and the Politics of Commercial Fiction analyses how the trappings of commercial fiction underpinning Keyes' literary marginalisation affable persona, book covers, social media presence have in fact helped her engage with these societal changes through socially inclusive messaging, encouraging readers towards social activism. Focusing on her depiction of three significant Irish loci of shame: addiction, depression, and abortion, this original study draws upon Keyes' novels, essays, interviews, and online posts to demonstrate how her writings serve as a counterpoint to culturally prevalent, stigmatising depictions of people coping with addiction and mental illness. Maria Butler engages with Keyes' longstanding abortion activism - present since her first novel, Watermelon - to emphasise the literary, political, and societal importance of feminine-coded commercial literature. This groundbreaking study seeks to challenge the existing narrative on Keyes and open a window to her extraordinary writings for future readers.