“Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan (Ireland)

Synopsis

It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him — and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.

Review

“Small Things Like These” is a brilliantly written novella that captures a world with remarkable brevity and depth. Through concise yet evocative prose, Keegan paints a vivid picture of her protagonist Bill Furlong’s life—his past, his present, and the moral dilemma he faces. Each vignette of Bill’s routine, memories, and introspections builds a close connection with him, making him feel like a real, good-hearted person struggling with the weight of his choices.

The novel’s realism is striking, especially in its portrayal of the small Irish town’s silent complicity and the haunting scenes of the convent. Keegan’s ability to convey so much in so few words makes every moment compelling, and the emotional weight of Bill’s childhood memories adds further depth. The novel lingers long after the final page, leaving the reader with a profound sense of both sorrow and hope.

This extra book of Season 25 scored 8.6 out of 10.

The theme of this extra book club meeting was “Book to Film Adaptations”. Released in 2024, the film adaptation is an international co-production between Ireland and Belgium, directed by Tim Mielants and starring Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong and Emily Watson as the Mother Superior. Readers felt that the film captures the novel’s somber atmosphere but leans even further into its bleakness. While the book is restrained yet deeply evocative, the film amplifies the grim tone with damp, oppressive weather and an almost relentless sense of despair. Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Bill Furlong is more subdued and anxious, making him seem like a tortured soul, whereas in the novel, Bill is chattier and more openly reflective.

Visually, the film contrasts its bleak present with brighter flashbacks, a choice that highlights Bill’s memories but slightly alters the novel’s subtle approach to his past. Emily Watson’s performance as the Mother Superior is excellent, as she embodies the quiet menace of institutional power superbly. However, some viewers felt that the film’s atmosphere makes it seem more like the 1970s rather than 1985. Overall, while both the book and film are recommended, readers should be prepared for a bleaker, more one-dimensional adaptation that lacks some of the novel’s nuance.

* * * * * * * * *

Nicola’s Book Club reading list

Season 25 – 20^th anniversary (Oct 2024 – Jun 2025)

“Happiness™” by Will Ferguson (Canada)
“A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende (Chile)
“Claire of the Sea Light” by Edwidge Danticat (Haiti) *
“Beyond the Door of No Return” by David Diop (Senegal)
“Happiness” by Aminatta Forna (UK – London)
“No One Prayed Over Their Graves” by Khaled Khalifa (Syria)
“How We Disappeared” by Jing-Jing Lee (Singapore)
“Amnesia” by Peter Carey (Australia)

* The book club favourite
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur