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A review by rcsreads
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
I felt like this ended just as it was getting interesting. I also felt like the perspective of a middle class, white man was the least needed pov for a story about the mis-treatment of women and girls.
The writing is fairly basic, and the characters felt flat. The phrase "he released a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding" was used, which is possibly the most cliche sentence in the history of literature!
It was fine, I read it in an afternoon and it brings awareness about Magdalen laundries in a way your granny could read without being shocked.
The writing is fairly basic, and the characters felt flat. The phrase "he released a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding" was used, which is possibly the most cliche sentence in the history of literature!
It was fine, I read it in an afternoon and it brings awareness about Magdalen laundries in a way your granny could read without being shocked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy