Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

137 reviews

sh_m22's review

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Short but gripping story. A book focused on the interiority of the main character, Bill, and his silent struggles with complicity

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Mentions of mothers being split up from their infants

meggy1967's review

emotional informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These" is an interesting reflection on the Irish people's thought process and reactions to mother and baby homes in the 20th century. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Confinement and Forced institutionalization

bachuska's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Excrement, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcoholism

alexutzu's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-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? No

4.25

I liked this more than expected, as I expected it to mostly focus on literary aspects while being rather weak on the plot, but it was not the case. The ending was really powerful and changed my view on the book quite significantly. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

😍 The good:
The style was literary, but not that difficult to read and process. I liked the cultural discussion that the novella aimed for and the fact that it felt somewhat circular, starting and ending on similar ideas related to women, parenthood and religion. The volume was short, but packed with ideas, and the note in the end really helped in making sense of them. I also felt that the title fit with the mindset of the main character.

😅 The not-so-good: 
Despite the small number of pages, the novella managed to be slow at times, probably due to its style. It also took me a while to understand where this is going, which felt a bit confusing for a part of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Confinement, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny

Minor: Death of parent and Vomit

heather_freshparchment's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement

Minor: Cursing, Religious bigotry, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement

malaikawrites's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Woah. That was the type of atmospheric read where you’re so deep into it you don’t even realise how intense everything is until you finish the story. Had to sit with it for a moment when all the pieces clicked in the end. Woah!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts

ajay913's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, Cursing, Vomit, and Forced institutionalization

zara89's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Slavery

Minor: Vomit

katesant's review

challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, and Violence

bunceyyy's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Classism

Minor: Abandonment and Excrement