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A crisis but cosy: Jennifer Platt reviews the new Marian Keyes The Break

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Published in the Sunday Times

The BreakThe Break
Marian Keyes, Michael Joseph
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Gemütlichkeit. It’s a German word that describes being in a state of absolute comfort. Where your entire being is wrapped in the softest blanket and the warmth is outside and inside your heart, there’s your family surrounding you and there’s laughter, tenderness and love. That’s what it’s like dipping into the new Marian Keyes. A familiar, hugging warmth.

This time, it’s not the beloved Walsh family of her first major hit novels. It’s another Irish family in Dublin – the O’Connells. Specifically Amy, whose husband of 17 years, Hugh, wants to take a six-month break from their marriage to go backpacking around Southeast Asia and “ride” anyone that he fancies.

Amy is devastated. Her safety net of her marriage is no longer there but she feels that he needs to go.

What we start realising is that both she and Hugh were not happy. He can’t get over the death of his father and Amy feels that she does everything for everyone else and neglects herself. And there’s also what she might have done a few months ago that could contribute to Hugh’s needing a break.

As per usual, there’s a serious subject wrapped up in plenty of wisecracks, family drama, sex and the Keyes twist – an emotional “ah-ha” moment. Another Keyes to treasure. – Jennifer Platt @Jenniferdplatt

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