45 pages • 1 hour read
Claire KeeganA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
128
Novella • Fiction
Ireland • 1980s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is set in December 1985 in New Ross, County Wexford. The story follows Bill Furlong, a compassionate coal merchant who, while delivering to a convent run by nuns, discovers the harsh conditions faced by the girls there. Struggling with memories of his own mother's difficult past, Furlong is moved to take action, despite knowing it may jeopardize his family's future.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Heartwarming
Bittersweet
Inspirational
192,578 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These has been lauded for its lyrical prose and emotional depth. Set in 1985 Ireland, the novella explores themes of community, moral courage, and personal integrity. While praised for its succinct storytelling and powerful message, some critics feel its brief length leaves certain character arcs underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a poignant and evocative read.
Readers who appreciate Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan would enjoy evocative, character-driven stories with deep emotional impact and lyrical prose. Fans of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout will find similar narrative intimacy and poignant reflection on human experience.
192,578 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
128
Novella • Fiction
Ireland • 1980s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.