Title: Last Chance Saloon
Author: Marian Keyes
First published January 1, 1999
528 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060086244 (ISBN10: 0060086246)
Rating: 3.82
Overview
From their wild nights out to their seemingly never-ending struggles, best friends Tara, Katherine, and Fintan have been through it all together. But as they enter their thirties, it seems like they’re stuck in the “last chance saloon” with no hope for escape.
Tara’s constant battle with her weight and her miserly boyfriend, along with Katherine’s meticulously organized single life, leave them feeling like they’ll never find true happiness. However, fate has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.
When disaster strikes, the lives of these three friends are forever changed. Join Tara, Katherine, and Fintan on a journey of unexpected twists and turns in Marian Keyes’ Last Chance Saloon.
About the Author
Meet Marian Keyes, an acclaimed Irish writer whose work in women’s literature has won her numerous awards, including the Irish Book Awards. Her books have sold over 22 million copies globally and have been translated into 32 languages.
Keyes’ most popular works, Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, explore sensitive issues such as domestic violence and alcoholism, garnering critical acclaim from readers worldwide.
Editoral Review
Marian Keyes’ Last Chance Saloon is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of modern relationships with a witty and relatable voice. Keyes is an Irish author who is known for her humorous and poignant insights into women’s lives, particularly during the late 90s and early 2000s.
In Last Chance Saloon, Keyes introduces readers to three lifelong girlfriends: Tara, Katherine, and Fintan. Each of these characters faces various personal and professional challenges that threaten to shake their deep bonds.
As they navigate the ups and downs of love, career, and family, they also confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets. Set in Dublin, Ireland, Last Chance Saloon is a witty and entertaining novel that captures the spirit of the time.
Keyes covers plenty of issues, including the impact of divorce on friendship, the challenges of maintaining a relationship with a long-distance partner, and the challenges of infertility. Despite dealing with tough topics, Keyes infuses her writing with humor and empathy.
Keyes captures the nuances of female friendships beautifully in this novel. Tara, Katherine, and Fintan’s friendship is the beating heart of the novel, and we see the unwavering support and connection they share despite years of personal growth and change.
However, while Keyes excels at portraying women’s friendships, the male characters in Last Chance Saloon are less well-drawn. Fintan and Katherine’s love affair feels contrived, and the men in Keyes’ novel tend to play lesser roles.
Despite this minor issue, Last Chance Saloon is still an entertaining and well-crafted novel that is worth reading for its portrayal of accurate female friendships, endearing characters, and humorous tone. Overall, Last Chance Saloon is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction, particularly those interested in reading about the complexities of modern relationships.
Keyes’ novel is an entertaining and light-hearted page-turner that offers valuable insights into female friendship and modern life in Dublin in the late ’90s. For that, we would give this book four stars out of five – it’s a delightful read!
