In Claire Keegan’s powerful novella “Small Things Like These,” the bitter winter of 1985 serves as both setting and metaphor in a small Irish town where coal merchant Bill Furlong faces a moral crisis that will challenge everything he knows about his community and himself. Through Keegan’s crystalline prose and measured storytelling, what begins as a seemingly simple tale of a hardworking family man evolves into a profound meditation on conscience, courage, and the cost of remaining silent in the face of institutional cruelty.
The Plot: More Than Meets the Eye
The story unfolds during the weeks leading up to Christmas, traditionally a time of joy and celebration, but Keegan subverts these expectations masterfully. Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, goes about his daily routines delivering fuel to homes and businesses, including the local convent. But when he discovers a young woman locked in the convent’s coal shed, his comfortable world begins to unravel.
What makes this discovery particularly poignant is Furlong’s own background – born to a sixteen-year-old unmarried mother, he was fortunate enough to be taken in by a Protestant widow, Mrs. Wilson, rather than being sent to one of Ireland’s notorious institutions. This personal history adds layers of complexity to his moral dilemma when confronted with the reality of the Magdalen Laundries.
Prose and Style: The Art of Restraint
Keegan’s writing is a masterclass in restraint and precision. Her prose is deceptively simple yet carries immense emotional weight. Consider this passage:
“The fact was that he would pay for it but never once in his whole and unremarkable life had he known a happiness akin to this, not even when his infant girls were first placed in his arms and he had heard their healthy, obstinate cries.”
The author’s ability to convey profound emotional truths through seemingly straightforward observations is remarkable. Each sentence feels carefully weighted, each word chosen with deliberate care.
Themes and Symbolism
The Weight of Moral Choice
The physical coal Furlong delivers mirrors the moral weight he carries
The winter setting reflects the emotional and spiritual coldness of the town’s complicity
The Christmas season serves as an ironic backdrop to the story’s darker revelations
Power and Institution
The novel expertly explores the intersection of:
Church authority
Community compliance
Individual conscience
Economic dependency
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works
Historical authenticity without heavy-handedness
Complex character development, especially of Bill Furlong
Masterful use of setting and atmosphere
Subtle yet powerful exploration of moral themes
Areas for Improvement
Some readers might find the pacing too deliberate
Secondary characters could be more fully developed
The ending, while powerful, might feel abrupt to some
Comparative Context
Keegan’s previous works, including “Foster” and “Antarctica,” share her characteristic economy of language and deep emotional resonance. “Small Things Like These” builds on these strengths while tackling broader social issues. The book sits comfortably alongside works like Emma Donoghue’s “The Pull of the Stars” and Sebastian Barry’s “The Secret Scripture” in its examination of Ireland’s institutional past.
Social and Historical Impact
The novella addresses the shameful history of Ireland’s Magdalen Laundries, institutions that imprisoned “fallen women” and their children, often forcing them into unpaid labor. Keegan’s note at the end of the book provides crucial historical context: the last of these institutions didn’t close until 1996, and an estimated 30,000 women were affected.
Writing Craft and Technical Excellence
Keegan’s technical mastery is evident in:
Precise sensory details that bring scenes to life
Seamless integration of backstory
Natural dialogue that reveals character
Effective use of free indirect discourse
Final Verdict: A Modern Classic
“Small Things Like These” is a remarkable achievement that manages to be both timeless and timely. While some readers might wish for more extensive character development or a more expansive plot, the book’s power lies precisely in its compression and focus.
Strengths:
Masterful prose
Historical significance
Emotional depth
Moral complexity
Minor Drawbacks:
Deliberately slow pacing
Limited scope of secondary characters
Recommendation
This book is especially recommended for readers who appreciate:
Literary fiction with historical significance
Character-driven narratives
Subtle, nuanced storytelling
Irish literature and history
Conclusion: The Power of Small Things
In just over 100 pages, Keegan demonstrates how small acts of courage can challenge systemic injustice. The book’s title takes on multiple meanings as the story progresses, suggesting that it’s often the small things – small choices, small acts of kindness or cruelty – that shape both individual lives and society as a whole.
For readers seeking thoughtful, beautifully crafted literary fiction that grapples with moral complexity and historical truth, “Small Things Like These” is an essential read. It reminds us that in the face of institutional power and community complicity, individual conscience still matters, and small acts of courage can resonate through generations.