Book Review: Small Things Like These

 

What does it mean to do the right thing? Our moral compass is a defining factor behind all the decisions which make us who we are. Growing up and living our lives, we often live with the misconception that it’s easy to do the right thing when the decision is offered to us. The truth is however, that doing the right thing is incredibly hard. The world and societies thereupon it is anything but good and the sad reality is the decency is a virtue few have the luxury of acting on when we are faced with the grim reality of things. Personally, while I like to think I have a good moral compass, I know I’ve been guilty of looking the other way in tough situations, it’s a vulnerability we all have whether we want to admit it or not. That idea is the core theme behind Claire Keegan’s highly acclaimed novel, Small Things Like These.

 
The story of this novel is set in the small Irish town of New Ross in 1985. Our main character is a working man by the name of Bill Furlong. Working to deliver coal all around town during the winter season, Bill takes great pride in providing for his wife and five daughters and is considered an all-around respected member of the community. Despite his fortunate position in life, Bill didn’t always have it so easy. Born to a teenage mother who was cast out by her family, Bill spent a lot of his childhood living in the estate of her employer and had to make his way without a father to guide him. His journey through life has helped him become the well-meaning man he is today though, one content to see the day through and put food on the table. Despite the fortune of his current days however, it’s as Christmas comes closer that Bill one night comes across a shocking encounter during a delivery to a religious Convent. It’s through this discovery that Bill will come to reflect on what it means to get by and the cost of doing the right thing.

For such a small book, the contents of this story cannot be oversold. Keegan is able to craft a wonderfully reflective tale through the lens of Bill Furlong. As a character he is the central anchor behind this tale and its his personal dilemma that helps to flesh out the central themes of the story. I love how much of an impression this story is able to imprint within the confines of its structure. It’s a comfortable narrative with uncomfortable truths to tell and the balance this required to pull off is confidently shown by Keegan through the way she explores the small elements of life. Extra credit for ending the story off the way she chose to as well. I can appreciate for some it may feel a bit anti-climatic but I think the sole intent behind it was to give the reader room to consider the reasoning behind it, more so than what comes after it.

My only real gripe is I wish this story was longer and that’s not even an objective issue, I really could have sat and read this story spread and defined even further, I enjoyed it that much. I think in hindsight though, the story works well because of its short nature. In a lot of ways this book serves as a small slice of life in it’s simplest, yet most profound instances. The tone and nature of the story is capable of being really inviting but also eye-opening at the same time. Its pacing is spread out to near perfection and it supports the narrative all throughout.

I can truly understand why this book got so much recognition after its initial publication. Small Things Like These earns every bit of praise it’s given. It’s an honest dive into the morally complicated journey our lives can take us on and the difficulty behind making the right choices we often take for granted. I implore anyone and everyone to give it a read, it’s a necessary requirement for anyone who might be looking for a bit of introspection in their lives.