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kajasversion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Vomit
bethnash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Moderate: Confinement and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I texted my dad ahead of reading this for book club, and he responded: "Precision writing, beautiful use of understatement, moving story." I can't write a more accurate review than that.
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
deedireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.75
TL;DR REVIEW:
Small Things Like These is a deceptively simple, deeply resonate little book about a dark part of Ireland’s (not so distant) past and the danger of community complacency. I really, really liked it.
For you if: You like short books that pack a punch.
FULL REVIEW:
Small Things Like These is a very short but impactful novel that probably never would have made it onto my radar if it hadn’t been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. But I’m so glad it did! I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.
The novel itself is set around Christmastime in a small Irish town. Bill Furlong, who runs the local coal plant, is wrestling with some mid-life what-ifs, but otherwise has a lovely life with his wife and daughters — especially considering his parentage, which includes an unknown father and unmarried mother. Luckily, his mother’s employer gave Bill a secure childhood and saved them from landing in a bad situation. In the present day, Bill finds himself face-to-face with the town’s terrible open secret, and he must decide whether to keep his head down for the sake of his family or act and risk the consequences.
This book is soooo short (only a little over 100 pages), but it packs a big punch. Claire Keegan’s prose is straightforward but also cinematic, and she does a lot with seemingly so little. She really makes you think about individual responsibility in the face of group complacency, what it means to be true to your values (in Furlong’s case, Christianity), and the complexities of morality. I closed the book and thought, “Wow, that was really excellent.”
I also really enjoyed meditating on her decision to set this at Christmastime — can any of the characters be likened to figures from the Bible? How does this story interact with the nativity? I’d say more, but I don’t want to give spoilers — but come to this month’s #BookerOfTheMonth book club chat and let’s discuss it!
CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Confinement / forced institutionalization (Magdalene laundries); Religious bigotry; Suicidal thoughts (minor, non-POV character)
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
This book is about Ireland'srieviolet's review against another edition
- 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
The main theme is hinted at quite a lot but it is not really properly delved into
and I think that readers might be left a bit confused, especially if you know little (like me) about this aspect of Irish history.
I still think that it is a pleasant read, with a nice writing style and, above all, I quite liked how the main character was depicted and his narrative trajectory.
Graphic: Confinement and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Suicide, Excrement, Vomit, Trafficking, and Death of parent
kairhone's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Religious bigotry
simply_fran's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Excrement, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
epellicci's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Atmospheric, compelling, and packing a punch for the right reader, but I found myself wishing for more.
Graphic: Physical abuse and Religious bigotry