Keyes opened the conversation by talking about the sexism in publishing, saying: “If something is done by a man, it’s automatically more interesting, it carries more weight. If a man writes a book about emotions, he’s writing about the human condition. If a woman writes a book with emotions, she’s writing a fluffy soap opera. But the subject matter is identical.

“But men cannot be seen as writers of fluffy soap. Obviously, it has to be ‘far more meaningful. A universal, searing exploration of the human condition…’ And it’s just irritating.”

She then went on to honestly discuss her personal “failures”, including not getting into journalism college, not having children, and gaining weight (which she admits to being part of sexist expectations).

But it was her words on why she feels she “failed at her 20s” that really got us thinking about alcoholism – and how is affects women during this pivotal decade.

How To Fail: Marian Keyes on why she “failed her 20s” is a hard but essential listen about addiction