Small Things Like These

Claire Keegan’s novella is a masterclass in restraint, shining a bright light on Ireland’s Magdalene laundries through one man’s small act of courage. Set in the 1980s, the book follows Bill Furlong as he uncovers cruelty hidden in plain sight within his town’s religious institutions. Keegan’s prose is spare yet luminous, capturing the moral weight of seemingly ordinary decisions. She explores complicity, shame, and the quiet power of choosing to do what is right. The story is brief but emotionally immense, revealing how political injustice thrives on silence. A profound and deeply humane work.