Book Club Monday: Small Things Like These

Author: Claire Keegan Title: Small Things Like These Publisher: Grove Press Date Published: 11/05/2021

Read Dates: 01/01/2026- 01/04/2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This was my library book club pick for January.

Small Things Like These is a single POV historical fiction set in Ireland in the 1980s. It is told from the perspective of Bill Furlong, the local coal merchant and a father of five girls. During the month of December, he stumbles upon something at the local convent that has him taking a hard look at his life, reflecting on his upbringing by a single mother, and considering what message he is sending through his silence.

This book came heavily recommended, and I think that impacted my enjoyment a little bit. It felt overhyped for what it was. The story was good, but it felt like it was leading up to something bigger and then just abruptly stopped. And I get that novellas are shorter by nature, but even so, a lot of them feel like there is a resolution to the story, and this one felt like it was lacking the resolution.

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.