Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

Book Review: Small Things Like These By Claire Keegan

After reading a 400-page book for the March prompt, I craved something lighter—a quick yet meaningful read. That’s when I stumbled upon Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. At just 85 pages, it intrigued me. Could a story so brief truly leave an impact? The answer is a resounding yes. This novella touched my soul. It explored the quiet dilemmas of a man, the monotony of everyday life, the understated joy of festivals, and the weight of moral choices with astonishing grace.

Blurb

Set in a small Irish town during the cold winter of 1985, Small Things Like These introduces us to Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and an unassuming family man. The story starts with his difficult past as the illegitimate son of a young housemaid. His mother’s employer raised him with kindness, but other students at school made him aware of his place on the margins of society. Bill grows up carrying both gratitude and the weight of his origins.

By adulthood, he’s just trying to get through the daily grind—delivering coal, taking care of his family, and preparing for Christmas. But then, during a routine delivery to a convent, he stumbles upon something disturbing. The kind of thing that you might want to ignore because it’s easier that way. But Bill? He can’t.

What follows is a simple yet deeply resonant story of a man standing at a moral crossroads. Does he risk upsetting the status quo to do the right thing? Or does he, like so many others, look the other way and move on with his life?

Review

I have to admit, at first, I wasn’t sure if I was connecting to the story. The writing is so understated, almost bare, and I thought, “Where is the story headed?” But as I kept reading, I realised the magic of Keegan’s prose. It’s not loud or flashy; it’s quietly powerful. The town, with its snow-dusted streets and restrained small-town politeness, started to feel alive. And Bill? He’s not a flashy hero. He’s just a good man, one of those people who tries to live decently, even when life isn’t easy.

The story digs into things that feel universal—like how the routines of life can become a kind of trap, or how festivals like Christmas can bring warmth but also highlight what’s missing. And then there’s the dilemma. Bill’s choice hit me hard because, honestly, wouldn’t most of us hesitate? Wouldn’t we worry about what stepping out of line might cost?

But here’s the thing that lingered after I turned the last page: the ending. It just… ends. I was left wanting more. I wanted to know what happened next. What did Bill’s decision lead to? What became of the child? How did the town react? It was frustrating in a way, but maybe that’s the brilliance of it. Life isn’t neat, and neither is this story. It’s about making the choice, not what happens after.

Final Thoughts
This kind of book whispers to you and stays in your head long after you’re done. It’s short, it’s quiet, but it’s packed with humanity. If you’re in the mood for a book that makes you think about what it means to do the right thing, even when it’s hard, give Small Things Like These a try.

PS1: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.

PS2: This post is part of the #ReadingWithMuffy Challenge hosted by @kohleyedreads

42 Replies to “Book Review: Small Things Like These By Claire Keegan”

  1. I loved this book so much when I had read it. It is such an understated beauty. I have been meaning to watch the movie too especially since it has Cillian Murphy in it.

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    1. I completely agree! The book is a hidden gem, and I feel fortunate to have stumbled upon it through a recommendation list.
      The movie has been on my watchlist too. Let’s hope the film does justice to the book’s understated charm!

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  2. I love how you captured the essence of the book in such a heartfelt, thoughtful way. Like you, I often find myself reaching for shorter reads after something heavy, and now this one is going straight to the top of my TBR. Your reflections on quiet heroism and moral choices gave me goosebumps—it’s amazing how a slim book can hold so much power. The way you described the setting, the emotional weight, and the subtle storytelling made me feel like I was already inside Keegan’s world. I also appreciated your mention of the Magdalene laundries—it’s such an important and chilling part of history that more people need to read about. You’ve shown that good reviews don’t just summarize; they provoke thought. I’m genuinely excited to read this now, not just as a story, but as a human experience. Thank you for writing this so beautifully—it’s the kind of review that lingers.

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  3. Great summary. I haven’t read too many short stories, being a bit of a fan of longer novels myself but the subject matter sounds intriguing and the way you’ve left us on a cliffhanger makes me want to check this out.

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  4. Great summary. I haven’t read too many short stories, being a bit of a fan of longer novels myself but the subject matter sounds intriguing and the way you’ve left us on a cliffhanger makes me want to check this out.

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  5. Going by your review, I am sure I want to read ‘Small things like These’ by Keegan.Bill’s hard life, the humanitarian angle and the cross roads where Bill stands in a no fuss powerful narration is all that I love in a book.

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  6. Such a heartfelt review! I’ve heard so much about this book but wasn’t sure if such a short story could really leave an impact, your words have convinced me otherwise. I’m definitely adding it to my TBR for a thoughtful weekend read.

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  8. Your review tickles my curiosity. But when you say you were left asking for more means, the end is just not a closure. Somehow, I like books and movies with closure. If there is a movie based on this book, where is it streaming?

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    1. Well, yes I wanted to know more but then realized the book was all about the courage to take the decision to do the right thing. Although I would love to know what followed after that. I haven’t watched the movie yet but Google says it’s streaming on Prime video, hulu, Disney+. It is geo blocked on some online platforms.

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    1. You’ve made me curious about the story. I think I’ll watch the movie first and then read the book. Love the way .. you described the quiet strength in it, sometimes the simplest stories are the most powerful.

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  10. What a coincidence! I picked up this book to read almost a year ago in a nearby Dutch library and guess, I couldn’t issue it then because I didn’t have any library card, so I made up my mind to visit library every day to read it. Next day when I visited the library, guess what? It got issued by someone else and there wasn’t another copy of it available. Your review gave me a chance to indirectly go through what I couldn’t. Thanks for sharing the review.

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  11. I have seen this book on my gram a lot, and seeing your review that it stays long after your have finished reading it I am gonna try this for sure

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  13. I loved the review with the great summary. The plot sounds intriguing, and the way you’ve left me on a cliffhanger makes me want to check out this book right now. Going to pick this next.

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  18. I’ve been reading long books for quite a while and a short read would be perfect. I don’t like stories that don’t have a clear end but like you said, that’s how life is. Will check this out.

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  19. I have always felt that it is difficult to make an impact with a shorter book than a full length book. A good story does not always need fancy writing. Thanks for sharing the review. I will surely read it.

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  21. I loved how this short read quietly unpacked such deep themes. Bill’s moral dilemma really made me reflect on everyday courage and the cost of doing what’s right. It’s simple but powerful—a story that stays with you long after finishing.

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  22. Sometimes it is the tiny books that pack a punch. I have seen the book doing the rounds on Insta. Didn’t know there was an adaptation in the works. Will try to give it a read before it comes out.

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