Marian Keyes is one of my favorite authors
Ah, insta-fame! This is the story of Irishwoman Stella Sweeney, who spent months in paralysis due to Guillain-Barre syndrome. Unable to speak or move, she has to communicate through blinking. The only one who really understands her—and almost reads her mind—is her doctor, Mannix. He is charmed by her brave take on life and lack of self-pity and starts jotting down some of her sayings. They fall in love, but she’s recently divorced and he’s married, so…
Mannix surprises her by compiling the “live your best life” statements she blinked out while ill and having them printed. Though there are only 50 copies, one finds its way into the hands of the American Second Lady while she’s in rehab. Suddenly, agents are calling, Stella is talking to American publishers and a book tour is in the works. Mannix, now separated, leaves his medical practice to act as her assistant.
Marian Keyes is one of my favorite authors, and this book was certainly entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny at times. Stella’s ex-husband is hilarious in his quest to be famous for his artwork, furious that somehow Stella is the one who’s modestly famous. I loved her parents and sister, but other secondary characters didn’t come to life as well. Mannix’s ex-wife suddenly becomes Stella’s best friend and seems to have a complete personality transplant. Jeffrey, Stella’s teenage son, was in serious need of anti-depressants. Her daughter was almost invisible as a character. Her bitterly divorced childhood friend had potential but isn’t seen enough. The timeline of the book jumps around quite a bit, which could be confusing. But Marian Keyes is Marian Keyes, and The Woman Who Stole My Life is fresh, funny and engaging, a winner as a light read.