If you are already a Marian Keyes fan, having devoured her modern
and witty novels such as SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
STORY and LUCY SULLIVAN IS GETTING MARRIED, as well as her
collection of essays titled UNDER THE DUVET, then you know what I
know --- Marian Keyes has wit, style, verve and intelligence. If
you're not familiar with her, get ready for a great read and an
introduction to an author whose other books you'll want to run
right out and grab from your local bookstore.


CRACKS IN MY FOUNDATION echoes thoughts shared by women everywhere
--- thoughts on beauty, health, family, friends, home, and just
about anything else of interest to the gentler half of the
population. Keyes says out loud what a lot of us only dare to
think, and it's liberating to know we're not alone.


For instance, her love of cosmetics is shared by women the world
over. "The love affair has never waned: makeup always makes me feel
better. With it I am more confident, more articulate, more amusing.
Without it, I'm like Samson without his hair." Truer words were
never spoken. What woman doesn't feel a boost of confidence with
her face on? Remember the time the plumber made it to the door
before you were properly made up? It's an awful feeling!


What about the dilemma of whether to leave one's underwear on at a
spa or take it off? Who among us hasn't struggled with this? Of
course there are some who are not afraid, who willingly fling their
panties aside and let complete strangers see their bare bum, but
then there are the rest of us who debate the issue. "A vexed area,
without a doubt: to leave on or take off. If you leave them on,
discomfort could mar your enjoyment, but if you take them off,
there's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide -- - every bit of you will
be on display, in all your cellulitely glory (if you're me)."


What about cooking? While cooking used to be something every woman
did and took pride in, those days are gone. Cooking is something
you either love or hate. There's no in-between, and those of us who
do it grudgingly are a growing majority. "See, we all have our
gifts and cooking isn't one of mine. But it's not just the thought
of sticking my hand up inside a turkey that I dread, it's the
coordination involved in preparing a meal --- having to have
everything ready at the same time gives me a knot in my stomach."
Amen.


When I read this book, I wanted to be Marian Keyes: a successful
writer, a world traveler, a spa patron, even Irish! While Keyes is
funny in a self-deprecating way, you can tell that she basically
likes herself. She knows that we all have our issues and that hers
are what make her unique. I love that in a person.


My suggestion to you: Pick up this book, gather up the chocolate,
potato chips, or whatever your favorite splurge is, call in sick to
work, and climb into bed with this book and enjoy yourself. We all
have cracks in our foundation. Why not make the most of them?