Small Things Like These
Ratings350
Average rating4.1
Wonderfully cosy yet powerful short story that was very pleasant to read approaching the festive season. Addressing and condemning the ability of people to ignore the suffering of those less fortunate, through the misguided belief that they are a "different" kind of people compared to themselves.
The writing is the star of this book above all, highlighting the beauty in simple everyday things and people in ways that invoke vivid imagery that forces you to feel. I particularly enjoy the use of weather throughout the book, the pervasive cold of the Catholic church contrasted with the empathetic warm coal merchant.
A good history lesson on a topic I had little knowledge of prior, but ended far too quickly. I was genuinely shocked when there wasn't at least a final chapter after the last page which left me feeling a tad bit dissatisfied toward the end.
Absolutely still worth a read and the writer is an extraordinary talent and I look forward to exploring her other work.
Favourite lines (pretty spoil free)
"Before long, he caught a hold of himself and concluded that nothing ever did happen again; to each was given days and chances which wouldn't come back around. And wasn't it sweet to be where you were and let it remind you of the past for once, despite the upset, instead of always looking on into the mechanics of the days and the trouble ahead, which might never come."
"Furlong did and did not know, he found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror"
"his fear more than outweighed every other feeling but in his foolish heart he not only hoped but legitimately believed that they would manage."
Quiet but powerful story. Not quite sure why it was nominated for so many literary awards or chosen by Oprah for her book club, but it was a thoughtful read for a snowy winter afternoon.
Tender! 3.5. No surprise that the Catholic church committed another atrocity. I did feel like this was set in the early 1900s so it threw me off when they talked about Levi 501s and 7up but that's on me
Quite good, a masterclass in foreshadowing. It does an excellent job of engaging with moralism without being too religiously motivated.
This reads like the beginning of a longer novel, but ends before it gets too predictable and unwieldy. I wish there was a bit more historical context woven in, as I wasn't familiar with Irish Laundries before this (nor was the wikipedia page on the Magdalene Laundry super detailed). Still, excellent writing with characters that are modern enough to be relatable but unplagued by technology and modern drama. This book has a sense of being removed from time, which I enjoyed.
This is the second book from Claire Keegan that I have read and I'm in awe with her writing style! Her writing evokes a strong sense of belonging and makes you live in the shoes of the characters. A fairly quick read but it packs a punch.
The story's based around Magdalene Laundries in Ireland and how the young girls and women were subject to exploitation by the Roman Catholic church. The story follows a protagonist who's a family man and finds himself in a quandary when he stumbles across one of the girls from the convent, who's being exploited. What follows is the moral dilemma the protagonist undergoes on whether to save this girl or to turn a blind eye and continue living his own life with his wife and five daughters.
Keegan's writing is powerful and thought provoking. It is bound to grip you in through its descriptive storytelling and narration. A masterpiece of literary fiction! 5 out of 5 for this one!
Oof. What a powerful read.
When doing the right thing doesn’t seem like an option for most because the powers that be are too evil and mighty and can make one’s existence pure hell, that’s when you discover what you’re truly made of. For “was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror?”
We all need to channel our inner Furlongs. We need more Bill Furlongs in the world. Make this book a mandatory daily reading.
Courageousness in the face of crime & callousness. Thank you Bill Furlong for your kindness & humanity.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story. The setting seemed quaint and easily imagined. The main character was loveable. It is easy to imagine rereading this around Christmas each year.
Nothing too special, but pretty good for how short it is. Has a good atmosphere. I liked it, a great palette cleanser between my think fantasy tomes
second read 5 made me cryfirst read 4.5 the cold. the small town. the community. their values. it???s all so nebulous and strangely tangible at the same time. incredibly well written little novella. should???ve probably read this while it was snowing closer to christmas, but i did the next best thing and read it this afternoon as it was pouring outside.
SOMEONE GIVE THIS MAN A 500-PIECE FARM PUZZLE ALREADY.
Pretty devastating! No one pairs sadness, hope, and resilience quite like the Irish.
Bill Furlong has come a long way in life. He is surrounded by stability and family in ways far different to his upbringing. Then one day while delivering coal to a convent just before Christmas, he stumbles into a secret. Really, the dark underbelly of an open secret, the sort that perpetually swirls in small town rumors but that is difficult to pin down or do anything about because of who holds power.
Furlong finds himself torn. He doesn't wish to jeopardize all he has by rocking the boat. At the same time, what he's witnessed needles him because of where he came from. The many church services surrounding a Christ-centered celebration complicate this moral tug-of-war. The kind of dissonance felt when the people we look to for spiritual guidance, instead cause us faith crises with their conduct.
I have a very low threshold for adult male protagonist ennui (and that's feminism), but Claire Keegan is a beautiful writer. Despite the short page count, the pacing feels slow as Furlong mulls over his options and memories. It ends at the perfect moment, resolute but open-ended. The audiobook is exquisitely done.
Keegan has captured the ambivalence of the winter holiday season so well. The colorful joy of giving and gathering, but also how traditions start to feel like chores you are falling behind on as the season marches on, animals struggling to find comfort in the cold dark terrain, the heavy sadness about loved ones who are not there anymore or how previous Christmases compare.
I want to read a lot more Keegan, but probably not for a second while I recover from this one.
I wish it were longer
What a powerful punch in such a short book. Amazing!
I wish it could have been longer but the impact would not have been the same. Reading the note at the end of the book made an even bigger impact not knowing the history.
This is a Christmas classic and makes you believe in the human heart and the kindness of others. I cannot recommend this book more.
I wish it were longer
What a powerful punch in such a short book. Amazing!
I wish it could have been longer but the impact would not have been the same. Reading the note at the end of the book made an even bigger impact not knowing the history.
This is a Christmas classic and makes you believe in the human heart and the kindness of others. I cannot recommend this book more.
“If you want to get on in this life, there are things you have to ignore.”
How often are we told to turn a blind eye to things that can be questioned, but aren't? We're taught that if it doesn't directly concern us, we shouldn't bother.
In its truest sense, Small Things Like These is about a man reflecting on his childhood, searching for answers he thinks will bring closure, all while overlooking the kindnesses he's received. Over time, he becomes someone who doesn't do good or harm—shaped by the complacency of his town.
But what happens when a man blessed with kindness in his youth breaks free from societal norms and takes a single step towards kindness himself? This book beautifully captures the journey of that pivotal moment.
সিনেমাটা দেখার আগে ভাবলাম বইটা পড়ে ফেলি। মিতকায় এই উপন্যাস থেকে এতটা গভীরতার সন্ধান পেয়ে যাবো আশা করিনি। আজকে এই বৃষ্টিঘেরা ঘষা কাচের মতো ভোরবেলায় রোগা বইটা শেষ করে মনে ভাসছে হেমন্ত মুখোপাধ্যায়ের কণ্ঠে রবীন্দ্রনাথের সেই গানটা—
আছে দুঃখ, আছে মৃত্যু, বিরহদহন লাগে
তবুও শান্তি, তবু আনন্দ, তবু অনন্ত জাগে
a book that makes you think how easy and simple it is to do the right thing and the greater impact on how it will be for you.
Not a single word wasted, what talent to convey so much in such a short novel. This one will stick with me.
I understand the beauty behind the writing. I also understand why people would love this book, but it just didn't hit for me. I think you have to read this book in the winter with a cup of tea to truly feel the full effects of Small Things Like These
what a gem of a book - it's a super brief, subtle yet beautiful glimpse of a small corner of the world. i think Claire Keegan balances so many of the charming, simple details of a Christmastime Irish town (and its shortcomings) with such a pressing issue in a very impressive way. the plot remains incredibly simple but beautiful nonetheless. i see why some people adore it and why it doesn't strike others as very interesting, still i enjoyed it and i recommend reading and rereading this, especially to those that have visited ireland - it nicely captures the country and its culture
Finally broke through my reading slump. Might've been with a book I was slightly disappointed with, but it was still good.
I do appreciate how it ends, but my interest was just so in and out of it unfortunately.
