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frances_frances's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
These stories were less compelling to me than Foster and Small Things Like These. But I love Claire Keegan's writing so much and will gladly read anything she writes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Sexual violence and Misogyny
kimb2's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A collection of three very short stories depicting the misogynistic attitudes of men towards women.
Since the stories are so short, saying anything specific about them will give too many spoilers. Suffice it to say they are reflective stories.
I will say that I preferred Small Things Like These and Foster.
Since the stories are so short, saying anything specific about them will give too many spoilers. Suffice it to say they are reflective stories.
I will say that I preferred Small Things Like These and Foster.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
megwhitlock's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love all of Claire Keegan's short stories with all my heart; she is one of the best writers of this generation. Her ability to create a three dimensional and fully rounded character in under 50 pages (more so than some manage in a whole book) is a real skill, and I love stepping into her worlds, even if just for an emotionally charged snapshot. Reading her work always feels like reading just a slice of something much bigger, but never feels disjointed or cut short too soon. Her ability lies just as much in what she doesn't say, in as what she does.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
bmedvid's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love Claire Keegan’s writing. It is exquisite and this book was no exception. This book is a collection of three short stories. I enjoyed the first and found them thought provoking about male/female relationships. The third one, however, was too dark for me and lacked the subtleties of the first two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Misogyny
e11en's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Cursing
bethsreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read Small Things Like These about a year ago and adored it. Claire Keegan’s writing is stunning and, to me, had a Joycean quality to it. So this year I wanted to read some more of her books.
The story follows Cathal over the course of an uneventful day while he reminisces on moments from his last relationship. Overall, I liked So Late in the Day. The main character is interesting as he is both somewhat sympathetic but also quite unlikeable. The story was paced well and kept me interested while maintaining it’s mellow tone. It does explore some interesting elements of misogyny that can easily be found yet disregarded in some heterosexual relationships; however, certain elements of this were a little unsubtle for my taste and I wish they had been explored in a more show and not tell way. For me, sadly, it was missing something that Small Things Like These had; it is something that I find hard to pinpoint but I think I could best describe it as the depth of earnestness.
I still love her writing style and it once again reminded me of the more tender, contemplative aspects of James Joyce’s writing. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia
lindalu's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautiful writing but on the dark side, especially third story Antarctica (see content warnings)
The characters have stayed with me.
Common thread that I found was how unhealthy or even dangerous it can be for women to reflexively feel obligated to be polite or accommodating when encountering men who are inconsiderate, domineering or even threatening.
So important to trust and value your instincts and not give automatic benefit of the doubt because you are a woman.
The characters have stayed with me.
Common thread that I found was how unhealthy or even dangerous it can be for women to reflexively feel obligated to be polite or accommodating when encountering men who are inconsiderate, domineering or even threatening.
So important to trust and value your instincts and not give automatic benefit of the doubt because you are a woman.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Infidelity, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
darshreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I started off 2023 with Claire Keegan’s ‘Small things like these’ and as luck would have it, my library hold for her book ‘Late in the day’ came through on Dec 31. Glorious glorious bookish destiny be thanked!
This kind turn of fate has led me to declare that Claire Keegan is a great way to bookend a year because you can always bank on her to craft the perfect short story.
How she is able to confine full universes and rich characterizations within 3-4 pages, I will never know but I am thankful to be able to be privy to the creative output.
'Late in the day' is a collection of three short stories that investigate the dynamics of gender and power structures that crop up even in the smallest of interactions between men and women. The conflict in the three stories all exist under the same umbrella of the patriarchy but present varying degrees of threat, that you as a reader will find yourself constantly assessing, much like marginalized people do in the real world. What’s especially impactful is how the undertone of violence in the first two stories culminates in real violence in the third, a blatant nightmare scenario that plays as an endless cautionary tale in most women’s minds.
I am so in are of how Keegan encourages the reader to comfortably seat themselves deep into her stories and then she pulls the rug from under them. I am eagerly awaiting a full length novel to really sink my teeth into!
All in all, 2024 is off to a great literary start!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
bloupibloupreads's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Domestic abuse
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I wish I could unread the last story in this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Infidelity
Minor: Misogyny