Novel takes dark look at an evil Prince Charming and the women hurt by him – 3 stars ***

By Gabrielle Pantera

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/17/08 – “I gradually became aware of the prevalence of domestic violence, and the way it just isn’t talked about, so I knew I wanted to make that a major theme,” says ‘This Charming Man’ author Marian Keyes. “It took two years, the longest and hardest book I’ve written.”

Many of Keyes’ novels are light and fall into the chick-lit category. But Keyes’ latest book is darker, as four women come to realize they’ve got the inherent strength to overcome past abuse and not only survive but thrive.

“I still don’t really want to change the world,” says Keyes. “That’s not an author’s role. I’m writing from the gut about what I’m interested in.” Keyes hopes that her book will give courage to women in abusive relationships to seek help.

“Talking to Women’s Aid about domestic violence, and to the survivors, wasn’t fun, but gave me a passion to get it right,” says Keyes. “Interviewing the cross-dressers was something I found very hard, so I brought along my friend Anne-Marie, who is much more brazen. We had great fun at the Transvestites Christmas party.”

In ‘This Charming Man’ politician Paddy de Courcy to outward appearances lives up to the title. Grace is a journalist trying to find out the truth about Paddy. Marnie is his alcoholic ex. Alicia is his fiancée. And, Lola is the woman he’s been sleeping with. All must come to terms with their past as it comes rushing towards them.

This book is very dark. You see the women grown and learn about themselves throughout the book. Paddy doesn’t know what hit him when the four women band together to bring him down.

The description of abuse, depression and alcoholism are hard to read at times. Marian writes so well you feel for the female characters and want them to emerge as victors. If you’re part of a book club, and not squeamish about the dark theme, you may want to delve into this book for a good discussion.

For her next novel it will be something more upbeat. “I’m working on a novel called ‘The Brightest Star in the Sky’, which, so far, is proving a bit easier to write,” says Keyes. Marian Keyes is originally from Limerick, Ireland and currently lives in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.

‘This Charming Man’
By Marian Keyes
Paperback: 563 pages, $24.95
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: June 2008
ISBN 978-0061578212