Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Fiction
2021
Finished on December 14, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
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.
Once again, Claire Keegan has authored a spare story that will tug at your heartstrings, while making you believe in the good of humanity. Inspired by true accounts of the Magdalen Laundry scandal in Ireland, Keegan conveys the cruel acts of the Catholic nuns with lean, yet powerful, prose. Both Foster and Small Things Like These belong in everyone's permanent collection.
It seemed both proper and at the same time deeply unfair that so much of life was left to chance.
A Note from the Author:
This is a work of fiction based in no part on any individual or individuals. Ireland’s last Magdalen laundry was not closed down until 1996. It is not known how many girls and women were concealed, incarcerated and forced to labour in these institutions. Ten thousand is the modest figure; thirty thousand is probably more accurate. Most of the records from the Magdalen laundries were destroyed, lost, or made inaccessible. Rarely was any of these girls’ or women’s work recognised or acknowledged in any way. Many girls and women lost their babies. Some lost their lives. Some or most lost the lives they could have had. It is not known how many thousands of infants died in these institutions or were adopted out from the mother-and-baby homes. Earlier this year, the Mother and Baby Home Commission Report found that nine thousand children died in just eighteen of the institutions investigated. In 2014, the historian Catherine Corless made public her shocking discovery that 796 babies died between 1925 and 1961 in the Tuam home, in County Galway. These institutions were run and financed by the Catholic Church in concert with the Irish State. No apology was issued by the Irish government over the Magdalen laundries until Taoiseach Enda Kenny did so in 2013.”
Joni Mitchell wrote "The Magdalene Laundries" after reading an article shortly after the discovery of 155 bodies of "fallen women" in a mass grave in Dublin.
I was an unmarried girl
I'd just turned twenty-seven
When they sent me to the sisters
For the way men looked at me
Branded as a jezebel
I knew I was not bound for Heaven
I'd be cast in shame
Into the Magdalene laundries
Most girls come here pregnant
Some by their own fathers
Bridget got that belly
By her parish priest
We're trying to get things white as snow
All of us woe-begotten-daughters
In the steaming stains
Of the Magdalene laundries
Prostitutes and destitutes
And temptresses like me
Fallen women
Sentenced into dreamless drudgery
Why do they call this heartless place
Our Lady of Charity?
Oh charity!
These bloodless brides of Jesus
If they had just once glimpsed their groom
Then they'd know and they'd drop the stones
Concealed behind their rosaries
They wilt the grass they walk upon
They leech the light out of a room
They'd like to drive us down the drain
At the Magdalene laundries
Peg O'Connell died today
She was a cheeky girl
A flirt
They just stuffed her in a hole!
Surely to God you'd think at least some bells should ring!
One day I'm going to die here too
And they'll plant me in the dirt
Like some lame bulb
That never blooms come any spring
Not any spring
No, not any spring
Not any spring
Bravo, Claire Keegan (and Joni)! Highly recommend.
Oprah has chosen Small Things Like These for her book club selection. You can see her interview Claire Keegan here. I don't care for the big Starbuck's sponsorship push, but I enjoyed hearing Keegan's thoughts about her novella.
I have enjoyed every book I've read by Claire Keegan!
ReplyDeleteThis one was so good, Tina. If you get a chance, search for Oprah's interview with Keegan. It's very good, too.
DeleteI just read this . What a powerful and moving story!
ReplyDeleteRobin, it's one that I'll read every year! Be sure to watch Oprah's interview with Claire Keegan. Lots to be learned from that discussion.
DeleteI saw the Keegan - Oprah talk, thought it was interesting. Rarely get to hear much of Keegan so this was a great intro into her. This is my fav book of hers so far. But I'm still waiting for her next. Her stories in So Late in the Day are pretty good too. There's been a couple films made about the laundries ... perhaps I'm remembering Philomena.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm curious about your thoughts on the Oprah talk. I thought the whole Starbucks sponsorship a bit annoying. I also noticed that Keegan rarely looked up, keeping her gaze downward, only occasionally looking at Oprah. I want to get a copy of her short stories and am glad to hear they're pretty good, too. I watched Philomena a few years ago, but may watch it again now that I've read this book.
DeleteI thought this book was so well done and now one of my book groups has chosen it so I look forward to discussing it with everyone.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I'm hoping my book group chooses this so we can read it next month. I think there will be a lot to discuss.
DeleteI need to reread this book! I listened to it during a couple of distracted walks and remember having some trouble with the audio download, too. I've borrowed it again via hoopla with hopes of reading it before the end of the year. I did love her book Foster and will look for the Oprah interview you mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely read it again, JoAnn. I'm pretty sure my book group is going to read it next month, so I want to experience it again with a notepad and pen at the ready to write down my thoughts. Have you read Keegan's collections of short stories? That's on my 2025 TBR list.
DeleteI have not read Keegan's story Collections, but may consider reading one next year.
DeleteI thought this story was amazing. I hope our book club will read it.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I'm excited that my book club has chosen it for January. I think we'll have a insightful discussion!
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