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reading_ladies_blog's review against another edition
dark
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
nini23's review against another edition
reflective
4.25
I understand the hype about Claire Keegan now.
I wish more women had the means and foresight to walk away like that. It is awful that these situations are so commonplace as to be normalized.
Looking forward to the longer short story collection of the same name by Keegan.
I wish more women had the means and foresight to walk away like that. It is awful that these situations are so commonplace as to be normalized.
Looking forward to the longer short story collection of the same name by Keegan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
teainthelibrary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
mmccombs's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Claire Keegan is probably the short fiction writer of our time. She effortlessly distills human nature down into seemingly simple stories at first glance that slowly unfurl into something more complex. I enjoyed the titular story the best, it felt the most Keegan-y to me in that we are pretty much along for the ride in someone’s thoughts. The last story, Antarctica, was a bit more unexpected and shows that Keegan could write a pretty effective thriller, though it lacked that kind of quiet finesse her other stories have, turning in favor of more plot than character work. These three stories worked very well together in terms of theme and tone, if you enjoy short, character-driven fiction this is the collection for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Press for the eARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Press for the eARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Kidnapping
amalielisabeth's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
booksjessreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Claire Keegan has become a favourite of mine. So Late in the Day completely hooked me. I was so desperate to get my hands on this, and it was worth it. I was absolutely not expecting the narrator to be how he was, and the way that Keegan wrote Cathal's deeply misogynistic character was just genius. She really highlights that men are rarely told to be reflective of their behaviour and look inwards and how they are surprised when women reject their misogyny. Furthermore, Cathal's misogynist behaviour is not just shown through his behaviour with Sabine, but his recall of memories with his mother demonstrated the broader treatment of Irish women in society.
I wish the story was longer though. I really did appreciate the way that Keegan can create such a story from just 50 pages, but I wanted to explore the characters more. However, I also appreciate that it does work as a story this short.
I wish the story was longer though. I really did appreciate the way that Keegan can create such a story from just 50 pages, but I wanted to explore the characters more. However, I also appreciate that it does work as a story this short.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Another small piece of perfection from Claire Keegan - even with an unlikeable misogynistic character. I especially loved the way the story began as a seemingly normal day in the office and morphed into something quiet different as Cathal’s true nature and its impact was slowly r evealed. Elegant and exquisite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
michael_richter's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
millie_blue's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
‘Small Things Like These’ is a thoughtful text, one that has made me consider the position of gender roles and misogyny in the 21st century. Keenan’s descriptive writing is always admirable - it’s the perfect example of packing a lot into a short story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Fatphobia, and Misogyny
reverie_and_books's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another precise novella by Keegan. So far I’ve read »Small Things Like These« and »Foster« by her. They have one thing in common: a warm feeling that they leave behind. »So Late in the Day« strikes a little different: I feel enraged - you know, in a good way, in an excellent way. As the others, Keegan doesn’t waste a single word to tell this story.
»Maybe it’s just too much reality.«
It's so short and I don't want to spoil anything. Maybe I'll just say this: A man finishes his day at the office and starts his daily commute home. There he contemplates a huge "could have been". It takes a second to get the picture, but once I did - oh boy.
For those who read it, all I’ll say is this: the pages grew a bit fuzzy and my eyes stung (and I wanted to scream) as I read about the pancakes [this is partly a quote].
»Maybe it’s just too much reality.«
It's so short and I don't want to spoil anything. Maybe I'll just say this: A man finishes his day at the office and starts his daily commute home. There he contemplates a huge "could have been". It takes a second to get the picture, but once I did - oh boy.
For those who read it, all I’ll say is this: the pages grew a bit fuzzy and my eyes stung (and I wanted to scream) as I read about the pancakes [this is partly a quote].
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Cursing