logo
episode-header-image
May 2015
49m 59s

Marian Keyes - Rachel's Holiday

Bbc World Service
About this episode

World Book Club talks life, sex, drugs, if not rock ‘n’ roll to chart-topping Irish writer Marian Keyes about her best-selling novel Rachel’s Holiday. She answers BBC listeners' questions from around the world, and also reads several passages from her novel, about feisty 27-year-old Rachel, who is sent to a rehab clinic because of her addiction to drugs. Both funny and moving, Rachel’s Holiday examines the pain of addiction and depression, revealing a darker than usual side to Marian’s writing. The programme is presented by Harriett Gilbert.

(Photo: Marian Keyes. Credit: Barry McCall)

Up next
Feb 2
Linwood Barclay - Take Your Breath Away
Harriett Gilbert welcomes master of suspense, the Canadian author Linwood Barclay in the World Book Club Studio, to answer your questions about his thriller 'Take Your Breath Away'.The story centres on Andrew Mason, whose wife Brie vanished six years ago, making him the prime sus ... Show More
1h 4m
Jan 1
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - The Palace of Illusions
Harriett Gilbert welcomes bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni into the World Book Club studio to discuss her internationally acclaimed novel, The Palace of Illusions.A luminous reimagining of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharat, The Palace of Illusions traces the li ... Show More
1h 7m
Dec 1
Philippa Gregory: The Other Boleyn Girl
Harriett Gilbert welcomes bestselling author Philippa Gregory into the World Book Club studio to discuss her celebrated historical novel, The Other Boleyn Girl.This novel, about to celebrate its 25th anniversary, is a vivid portrayal of ambition, love, and betrayal in the Tudor C ... Show More
55m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
Romance Novels Are For Everyone
On this week’s episode of The Waves, the co-host of Slate’s internet culture podcast ICYMI, Rachelle Hampton sits down with Slate associate editor and romance author, Marissa Martinelli to talk about romance novels and, of course, the television show Bridgerton. In the first half ... Show More
40m 34s
Mar 2022
The High School Problem
Marian and Tara tackle an over-familiar flatmate, a caustic mother-in-law, love at a distance and high school anxieties with trademark kindness and good humour in the final episode of the series.Marian Keyes is a multi award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her ... Show More
29m 3s
Jan 2022
Sex Parties, Manipulation + Betrayal. My Interview With Rachel Krantz, Author of “Open.”
On this episode I welcome award winning journalist and one of the founding editors of Bustle, Rachel Krantz. Rachel is the author of “Open: An Uncensored Memoir of Love, Liberation, and Non-Monogamy.” The Los Angeles Times, Electric Lit calls “Open” one of the most anticipated bo ... Show More
1h 16m
Oct 2022
The Thong Problem
Thongs, personal grooming, rights of way across fields and 'going non-contact' get the Now You're Asking treatment in the first episode of this new series with Marian Keyes and Tara Flynn addressing real life problems sent in by their listeners. The first series was welcomed by l ... Show More
28m 39s
Feb 2022
Marian Keyes, Women making crypto art, Self-harm in women's prisons
Marian Keyes writes funny, clever novels about the tough stuff in life. Her books feature addiction, break-ups, poor mental health with women at the heart and lots of good men as well. Her new novel Again, Rachel revisits Rachel Walsh whose story of recovery from addiction was to ... Show More
57m 38s
Apr 2019
Cate Blanchett
Oscar winning star Cate Blanchett invites Mariella to her home in the South Downs to peruse her bookshelves. After being greeted at the door by Doug the Pug, the pair settle down to discuss Cate’s most loved books, discovering the role they’ve played throughout her life – whether ... Show More
38m 9s
Mar 2022
The Shoplifter Problem
Marian and Tara tackle front-fastening bras, anxiety, conspiracy theorists and a shoplifting mother with trademark kindness and good humour.Marian Keyes is a multi award-winning writer, with a total of over 30 million of her books sold to date in 33 languages. Her close friend Ta ... Show More
28m 30s
Aug 2023
Maria Bamford Wants To Join Your Cult
<p>To kick off The Unspeakable's fourth season, comedian Maria Bamford joins Meghan for a conversation about many unspeakable topics. Maria's new book, <em>Sure I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir Of Mental Illness And The Quest To Belong Anywhere</em> is a rollicking homage to the pow ... Show More
1h 15m