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A review by leahgustafson
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
dark
emotional
informative
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? No
4.0
Here is another small but powerful novella from Claire Keegan. This story is set in the winter of 1985 in Ireland. Middle-aged Bill Furlong struggles to discern the meaning of life in his small, working-class town. He grapples with purpose, faith, religion, and doing the right thing (even when it’s difficult). As the reader, we get to witness Bill’s internal struggle making a difficult decision, but we never get to see the consequences of that decision. Keegan is such a skilled writer who trusts her readers to infer what comes next. This is a similar format/structure to her previous work, Foster.
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The commentary on religion is extremely powerful. I also loved the focus on kindness, generosity, and the importance of recognizing our shared humanity. Magdalene Laundries were something I knew nothing about, and I appreciate how Claire Keegan captures the secrecy and the pain these institutions caused while also demonstrating just how woven they were into the fabric of society.
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Again, this is fantastic if you’re looking for something short, literary, and historical!
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Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Confinement, and Emotional abuse