On a freezing cold day last week, reporters piled into a suite in New York’s Ritz-Carlton hotel. Inside a dark-haired woman and a bearded man were holding court from their bed. Hang on? Last week? Surely the famous John and Yoko bed-in took place in 1969? It did. This couple were best-selling Irish author Marian Keyes and her heavily-disguised husband Tony. ?He?s mortified,? Keyes said. ?I doubt he?d have done it without the fake face hair.?
The bed-in was organized by Keyes?s American publishers to launch her latest book ?Under the Duvet.? But how did she feel about having to face reporters in her nightie? ?I?m delighted to get lying down,? she laughed. ?I?m totally exhausted.? She and Tony had just arrived in New York after a grueling six-day trip visiting Russian orphanages with Irish charity To Russia with Love. This isn?t the only group to benefit from Keyes?s involvement. All the proceeds from Irish sales of ?Under the Duvet? go to the Simon Community (which runs shelters and advocates for the homeless) and to date have raised approximately $30,000.
?Under the Duvet?, Keyes first non-fiction book, is a collection of articles previously published in newspapers and magazines.
Why did you call the book ?Under the Duvet??
I?m very attached to my bed. When I worked in an office I absolutely hated the sound of the alarm going off and always said that if I ever got the chance to work from home, I?d do it from my bed and that?s exactly what I do. I?m usually pretty disciplined and write from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. during the working week.
Did you ever meet a bed you didn?t like?
Only once. My sister-in-law had a futon where your legs were higher than your head. In the morning your face would be like a giant beetroot because all of the blood had gone to your head overnight.
The author bio at the front of ?Under the Duvet? says you have two imaginary dogs, why?
So that they?re company for each other.
No, why are they imaginary?
Oh, I see. Well, Tony and I travel so much that it would be unfair to keep pets. Apart from that I?m a bit scared of dogs. It?s gas though, they?re such fully realized characters that friends and family ask after them. When we get home they?ll be ringing up saying ?I bet Patch and Socks were glad to see you.?
They?re called Patch and Socks? Is that because of their imaginary markings?
Of course!
Follow us on social media
Keep up to date with the latest news with The Irish Echo
?Under The Duvet? is published by Perennial and is available in bookshops now.