It’s a necessary story. We need more stories about good men doing the right thing. The power of one person who sees injustice. And who better than Keegan to tell the story.
Exactly, a decent man doing the right thing. We are left to imagine the consequences his decency and his actions in defiance of institutionalised cruelty. Keegan has given us enough in the story to know those consequences will not be pleasant. I've read two of her works now, she is a master of understatement. There's a subtlety here that is crisp and direct. She manages to say so much, tell so much in a small space.
I felt the book dwells more on good people NOT doing the right thing and that pressure pot is released by this character setting the decency example...
A writer like Keegan doesn't come along very often--beyond measure, she is gifted and a joy, a treasure. When I turned the last page, I felt my life and my world was complete. Every word she writes is a gem, a jewel, priceless 👏🏽☮🫶❤ Than-you 🙏🏽
I’ve just read it today. I’d read Antarctica and Foster. I can’t help thinking if Bill had had a father married to his mother, he would not have had the inner turmoil and then the courage to have taken the compassionate action
There is a powerful and calm dignity to Keegan’s prose with a deep insight into the mind of her characters whom she makes natural, real and endearing. With few simple but very insightful sentences Keegan manages to build the atmospherics of Christmas in the town of New Ross in a way that is memorable. The conversations are wonderfully engaging and the act of Bill’s moral courage heart wrenching yet uplifting. The gradual revelation of Bill’s past through a series of interspersed flashbacks is seamless and competently done. Above all and towards the end one begins to admire Bill but also fervently wish for his well being in the uncertain future he locates himself. I am not a widely read person to say anything conclusively but I would not hesitate to put 'Small Things Like These' along with 'Dubliners' and 'Angela's Ashes' on the same bookshelf - side by side.
Wonderful " End " . Everyone can come to their own conclusion or not . What does happen next ? That is the consequence of having an all powerful institution .
‘Oppenheimer’ vs. ‘The Nun’. The contemplative life terrifies us more than ‘Art the Clown’. I don’t know if I could sit through a film about a fictional coal trader, who carries ‘a poor me’ look in his eyes wherever he goes, and a fictional religious drawn straight from ‘Dynasty’, who have a fictional conflict over fictional events…The lengths we go to! Who would ever say "your toast is getting cold?"
It's so much easier to read this splendid book now, after the revelations of such scandals has finally turned Ireland into a secular democracy rather than a corrupt theocracy. The historical Jesus would surely roll over in his grave if he knew of the many atrocities committed in his name.
It’s a necessary story. We need more stories about good men doing the right thing. The power of one person who sees injustice. And who better than Keegan to tell the story.
Her writing is exquisite. What a treat to hear her read a passage from ‘small things like these’.
Love Small Things Like These. Less is more. Keegan is at her best.
Exactly, a decent man doing the right thing. We are left to imagine the consequences his decency and his actions in defiance of institutionalised cruelty. Keegan has given us enough in the story to know those consequences will not be pleasant. I've read two of her works now, she is a master of understatement. There's a subtlety here that is crisp and direct. She manages to say so much, tell so much in a small space.
I felt the book dwells more on good people NOT doing the right thing and that pressure pot is released by this character setting the decency example...
Brilliant book, brilliant writing.
I sat down to read this gem of a book today and didn't get up until I finished it. Pure magic.
An incredibly honest and deeply moving novella. Just beautiful.
A writer like Keegan doesn't come along very often--beyond measure, she is gifted and a joy, a treasure. When I turned the last page, I felt my life and my world was complete. Every word she writes is a gem, a jewel, priceless 👏🏽☮🫶❤ Than-you 🙏🏽
Give her the prize! This story is everything
I’ve just read it today. I’d read Antarctica and Foster. I can’t help thinking if Bill had had a father married to his mother, he would not have had the inner turmoil and then the courage to have taken the compassionate action
This charming book, I feel like I want to read every Christmas. It’s simply beautiful!
Just brilliant, words brimming with life.
Beautiful. More, please
Love Claire Keegan book
What a beautiful interview. I cannot wait to read it.
This book makes me cry with happiness !
So touching ❤
Haven’t got such in years !
Thank you Thank you Thank you
🙏🏻
This slender novel, when I turned the last page, made me feel I could die happy--Keegan is gifted beyond measure 👏🏽😍
There is a powerful and calm dignity to Keegan’s prose with a deep insight into the mind of her characters whom she makes natural, real and endearing. With few simple but very insightful sentences Keegan manages to build the atmospherics of Christmas in the town of New Ross in a way that is memorable. The conversations are wonderfully engaging and the act of Bill’s moral courage heart wrenching yet uplifting. The gradual revelation of Bill’s past through a series of interspersed flashbacks is seamless and competently done. Above all and towards the end one begins to admire Bill but also fervently wish for his well being in the uncertain future he locates himself. I am not a widely read person to say anything conclusively but I would not hesitate to put 'Small Things Like These' along with 'Dubliners' and 'Angela's Ashes' on the same bookshelf - side by side.
It was a treat to hear her reading out from the book... Looking forward to reading the book before watching the film.
Brilliant book. I thought it was very moving.
Wonderful " End " . Everyone can come to their own conclusion or not . What does happen next ? That is the consequence of having an all powerful institution .
Joyce , Beckett and now Keegan.
Which books ? 📚
Please recommend 🙏🏻
Thank you ❤
‘Oppenheimer’ vs. ‘The Nun’. The contemplative life terrifies us more than ‘Art the Clown’. I don’t know if I could sit through a film about a fictional coal trader, who carries ‘a poor me’ look in his eyes wherever he goes, and a fictional religious drawn straight from ‘Dynasty’, who have a fictional conflict over fictional events…The lengths we go to! Who would ever say "your toast is getting cold?"
Beautiful opening lovely lady
It's so much easier to read this splendid book now, after the revelations of such scandals has finally turned Ireland into a secular democracy rather than a corrupt theocracy.
The historical Jesus would surely roll over in his grave if he knew of the many atrocities committed in his name.
Reviews so Irish so exact and so vague
👍
Claire, if you were a little songbird, you would not like a crow. Uck, They’re monsters.
You have no right to judge