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kaz_in_books's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
serenityofbooks's review
5.0
I recently saw Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan featured in the AWW 2022 Christmas Books Guide and to be honest, I’m not really sure what drew me to pick it up based on their short review. Not that it was negative in any way – it was described as “surprising and beautiful” but when I decided to download on the weekend, I was totally unaware it was a novella (it’s only 124 pages) and that it’s set during Christmas which was a nice touch to read at this time of year.
The Goodread synopsis describes the books plot; “It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.”
Such a simple story but with much depth and so beautifully written, Irish author Claire Keegan has crafted something special in such a short number of pages. I adored it – I found it engaging and thought provoking. I was not surprised to see it was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize and thought it was perfectly described on their website as a “…a tender tale of hope and quiet heroism is both a celebration of compassion and a stern rebuke of the sins committed in the name of religion.”
Highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone that wants a bit of a different Christmas read.
The Goodread synopsis describes the books plot; “It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.”
Such a simple story but with much depth and so beautifully written, Irish author Claire Keegan has crafted something special in such a short number of pages. I adored it – I found it engaging and thought provoking. I was not surprised to see it was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize and thought it was perfectly described on their website as a “…a tender tale of hope and quiet heroism is both a celebration of compassion and a stern rebuke of the sins committed in the name of religion.”
Highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone that wants a bit of a different Christmas read.
bravelass85's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
juliaorre's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
gertymae's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
allison_jo's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This novella has given me much to think about, not only about the Magdalen Laundries themselves, but also the small “daily kindnesses” (pg 67) available to us.
alannathellama's review against another edition
4.0
This story is so short but took me so long because I only read it when snow was on the ground. I wish it was longer because I always do, but I think it achieved everything it tried to (I did cry, after all), and it was meant to be open ended, as an extension probably would have majorly ruined the optimistic feeling at the end.
It’s interesting because this story has many purposes (all of which are intertwined, of course, but these are the main distinct things I got from it):
1. An informative story about the Magdalene Laundries.
2. An avenue for a general message about the importance of simple courage from ordinary individuals (especially when helping those more vulnerable) and how this interdependence is what makes life worth living.
3. A critique of the church, particularly in Ireland.
4. A commentary on the roles men and women are forced into, and how women, because of the way that the church and society as a whole punishes them, may be forced into a mindset where they have to focus on themselves and their families. Some of the women come off as a bit heartless in this story, but I think that’s to make a comment on how women cannot always afford to go against the grain and still live normal lives in the same way that men may be able to. (I, for one, am really questioning what would happen after the conclusion, like I know the point is that his kindness towards another person will be worth it even if it troubles him but damn that is gonna fuck his life up, the gossip is gonna be crazy lol).
5. Some comment about class differences, kindness, and how women especially navigate them. With an emphasis on the freedom for kindness, etc that wealthier women can more easily express.
The writing is relatively simple, which I think adds to its beauty as it expresses normal thoughts that people often try to bury, without coming off as pretentious.
Overall, I really liked it. There’s nothing majorly wrong with it. I don’t particularly know what to rate it so I’m going off a random feeling.
It’s interesting because this story has many purposes (all of which are intertwined, of course, but these are the main distinct things I got from it):
1. An informative story about the Magdalene Laundries.
2. An avenue for a general message about the importance of simple courage from ordinary individuals (especially when helping those more vulnerable) and how this interdependence is what makes life worth living.
3. A critique of the church, particularly in Ireland.
4. A commentary on the roles men and women are forced into, and how women, because of the way that the church and society as a whole punishes them, may be forced into a mindset where they have to focus on themselves and their families. Some of the women come off as a bit heartless in this story, but I think that’s to make a comment on how women cannot always afford to go against the grain and still live normal lives in the same way that men may be able to. (I, for one, am really questioning what would happen after the conclusion, like I know the point is that his kindness towards another person will be worth it even if it troubles him but damn that is gonna fuck his life up, the gossip is gonna be crazy lol).
5. Some comment about class differences, kindness, and how women especially navigate them. With an emphasis on the freedom for kindness, etc that wealthier women can more easily express.
The writing is relatively simple, which I think adds to its beauty as it expresses normal thoughts that people often try to bury, without coming off as pretentious.
Overall, I really liked it. There’s nothing majorly wrong with it. I don’t particularly know what to rate it so I’m going off a random feeling.
leemac027's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. I don't normally read a book in one sitting, but I could not put this down. It is such a beautifully written work. The language used by Claire Keegan is lyrical and its cadence reflects the lilt and flow of the Irish language so well that you are immersed in the world she creates.
But this is a tragic and complicated story. Bill Furlong is a coal merchant, and he works hard to support his family. He tries to give them a better life than he had as a child. He never knew who his father was, and he suffered the ridicule of others for being born out of wedlock under circumstances not considered appropriate at the time.
As Bill keeps on with his work in the village, he has the respect of those within but a discovery he makes at the local convent raises fears and doubts. He is stuck between acting and ignoring. What should he do? Is there one small thing he can do to change someone's life?
But this is a tragic and complicated story. Bill Furlong is a coal merchant, and he works hard to support his family. He tries to give them a better life than he had as a child. He never knew who his father was, and he suffered the ridicule of others for being born out of wedlock under circumstances not considered appropriate at the time.
As Bill keeps on with his work in the village, he has the respect of those within but a discovery he makes at the local convent raises fears and doubts. He is stuck between acting and ignoring. What should he do? Is there one small thing he can do to change someone's life?