A review by readlentless
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sabi ko pa, parang perfect to for christmas since it was set in winter in ireland. the story ended up being much more than that. furlong is a working-class man, a husband, and a father of five girls. this is a story about small and quiet heroism, of empathy, community, and the true essence of christian values. in this novella, the mc kept baffling with the thought of saving people or having self-preservation. whether it's a responsibility he carries when his mother needs saving or out of pure compassion. the story especially hit hard when i realized that it was based on an actual historical event. they called it magdalena laundries— about the atrocities committed by the church who exploited girls (eventually killing thousands). unfortunately, records were burned and truths were buried alongside them. i love the writing style, the characters felt real in such short pages, and it wasn't corn tragedy.