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Small Things Like These

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Small Things Like These

By: Claire Keegan
Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
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About this listen

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING CILLIAN MURPHY

A SUNDAY TIMES 'TOP 5 NOVELS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY'

A SUNDAY TIMES AND IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER

A TOP 5 IRISH TIMES 100 BEST IRISH BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

A NEW YORK TIMES 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY


WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE AND THE KERRY GROUP IRISH NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE, THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE AND THE IRISH NOVEL OF THE YEAR AT THE DALKEY LITERARY AWARDS

'Exquisite.' Damon Galgut
'Masterly.' The Times
'Miraculous.' Herald
'Astonishing.' Colm Tóibín
'Stunning.' Sunday Independent
'Absolutely beautiful.' Douglas Stuart

It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him - and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.

Claire Keegan's book Small Things Like These was a Sunday Times Bestseller w/c 05-11-2022

©2022 Claire Keegan (P)2022 Faber & Faber Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking

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All stars
Most relevant
this book will stay with you for ever, for so many different reasons. So cleverly written, a story that makes you want to find out more. this is my top read of 2021.

if i could score this book 6 I would

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liked the story but found it ferry short ,, surprised when book ended at end of chapter 7,,, feel there is another book to be written about what happens next

review

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Not the usual sad story of the Magdalene laundries which has been told many times. The very human aspect of this beautifully written novella makes it special. Excellent narration

A Good Man

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such a beautiful story, though short it is full of heart, will make you think and feel.

beautiful

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I have just finished listening to the audio of this novella. It’s a beautiful, understated, poignant story. The blurb describes it as a story of hope, quiet heroism and tenderness. The narrator, Aidan Kelly, was just perfect for it. The story is told in third person but with only one viewpoint throughout, which was skilfully maintained. That one character, Bill Furlong, coal merchant, stands out like a three dimensional figure against the background of the location and more subtly (but totally real) drawn characters who surround him. The story nudges against the scandal of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, gently and devastatingly. The kind of book that you remember and are influenced by. Highly recommend.

Beautiful, understated, poignant

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