Last Chance Saloon

I have a particular affinity for character driven books that take place in England (ie Bridget Jones Diary). I highly recommend this one as it has so much to offer, great characters that you care about, humor and sadness. I found my self laughing out loud at the exploits of Katherine, Tara, Fintan et al. and when the trauma of illness comes into their lives I rode the roller coaster of emotions with them. Marian Keyes has a great ability to convey her characters motivations and foibles without sounding cliche. Her descriptions are original and witty. I loved this book.

If you love chick lit but are yearning for something a bit deeper and more complex, take a chance on Marian Keyes. This was my first book of hers and I was totally captivated by her unforgettable characters and unique storyline twists.What is it about the Irish that make them such wonderful storytellers? The plot sounds very simple---two single women and one gay man, all best friends since their childhood in a small Irish village, find happiness and heartache as professional thirtysomethings in London. Sounds simple, but in the hands of a great storyteller this is a can't-put-down novel. The situations faced by Tara, Katherine, and Fintan are so true-to-life and yet so heartbreaking, that the reader feels compelled to hold their hands and walk with them through every step of their angst. You will meet Tara Butler who suffers from low self-esteem and the misfortune to be living with the boyfriend from hell, Katherine Casey, the ice princess who has let a mysterious event from her past color and destroy any relationship she enters, and Fintan O'Grady, the flamboyant homosexual who has found his soul mate but risks losing everything to a terminal illness. Not only are these characters remarkable creations, but Keyes gives us as fine a lineup of secondary characters as can be found in any novel. Most notable is Lorcan Larkin, the enigmatic actor whose story parallels that of the main characters and finally collides with one of them in a heartbreaking climax. This is a story of modern day singles, but it is so much more. It is a testament to friendship and the ties that give us strength. It is a look at the long shadows a family can cast and the ways people can take control of their own destiny. Most importantly, it is about learning to respect yourself and to live each day as if it were your last chance.

Marian Keyes has done it again with Last Chance Saloon! This thoroughly intelligent novel about four Londoners seeking love, success and a defining sense of self at the age of thirty -- otherwise known as the Last Chance Saloon -- is poignant and hilarious. The book introduces Tara, a compulsive overeater stuck in a horrible relationship with the unpleasant Thomas. She feels that a cheapskate, manipulative man is better than no man at all. The reader is also introduced to Katherine, an anal retentive who would rather spend the nights alone with the remote control than risk falling in love and -- inevitably -- getting her heart broken. Then there's Fintan, a sweet homosexual who is faced with a horrible illness. And who can forget the dreadfully vain Lorcan Larkin? Each of these characters is faced with life-altering events that will help them see life in a different way. The character development in this book is incredible. You will definitely see yourself in at least one of the characters. I know I certainly did! I marvel at Keyes's ability to create the kind of neurotic characters that would make you laugh till the last page. Jane Green's book called Bookends is vaguely similar to this one, but Last Chance Saloon is better developed. I strongly urge you to get this book!

I've read all of Marian Keyes' novels now, and I have to say that this might be her best yet. Watermelon was great, Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married a bit disappointing, Rachel's Holiday mildy depressing and frustrating, but Last Chance Saloon had me hooked. I very much enjoyed the cast of characters, each very well sketched out. The book really is a clever look at how easily one can become complacent, how easy it is to settle or simply float through life. The novel was a perfect mix of having something wortwhile to say about life and being immensely readable -- I oftentimes have the feeling that most books make me choose between substance and pleasure. Tara, Katherine, and Fintan will make you laugh and cry with their lives. Most definitily recommended.

A great, fun book. Okay so it is not the most deep and meaningful book you will find but at least it helped my complex of being the only person on this planet (apart from my mother) that has to always have two knickers for every bra (matching of course)! Marian - keep them coming!