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So Late in the Day – Clare Keegan

So Late in the Day – Claire Keegan

As I really enjoyed Small Things Like These, I was keen to read more of her work. I would say this is a short story or a short novella – it only took me an hour or so to read.

Here’s the blurb …

After an uneventful Friday at the Dublin office, Cathal faces into the long weekend and takes the bus home. There, his mind agitates over a woman named Sabrine, with whom he could have spent his life, had he acted differently. All evening, with only the television and a bottle of champagne for company, thoughts of this woman and others intrude – and the true significance of this particular date is revealed.

From one of the finest writes working today, Keegan’s new story asks if a lack of generosity might ruin what could be between man and women.

Once again, the writing is beautiful. Cathal’s personality and views are slowly revealed (how he doesn’t want to spend money, how his mother was treated).

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Filed under 4, Fiction, Recommended, Short Stories

Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

Small Things Like These – Claire Keegan

I had been tempted to read this book for a while and then it popped up on Borrowbox as an audio book. It’s very short – about two hours.

I loved it, I think it’s my favourite read (so far) for the year.

Here’s the blurb …

It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.

Already an international bestseller, Small Things Like These is a deeply affecting story of hope, quiet heroism, and empathy from one of our most critically lauded and iconic writers.

This is a beautifully written story. It’s about family, community and kindness, but it is also about cruelty and judgement and meanness

A review

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Filed under 5, Fiction