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chrisljm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A short novella written so beautifully, I’m ensured to be a reader of Claire Keegan’s other works.
There’s a simpleness to the narration that doesn’t detract from how quaint and vivid the Irish landscape is, while also showcasing the quiet stillness of the narrator. This also neither diminishes her sweet naïveté nor the slight melancholic nature of her existence with the Kinsellas, impressively showing just how Keegan is a master of her craft.
A truly beautiful, powerful story, and wonderfully well-written.
There’s a simpleness to the narration that doesn’t detract from how quaint and vivid the Irish landscape is, while also showcasing the quiet stillness of the narrator. This also neither diminishes her sweet naïveté nor the slight melancholic nature of her existence with the Kinsellas, impressively showing just how Keegan is a master of her craft.
A truly beautiful, powerful story, and wonderfully well-written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Pregnancy
kenzielireads's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Racial slurs
eitrlund's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs
Use of the g-slur (romani/roma)kimschouwenaar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
For such a short story, this was surprisingly captivating, and I easily read this in one sitting. I picked this up mainly because a friend wrote her BA thesis on it, and she highly recommended it to me.
Keegan effortlessly depicts the significance of a loving family, specifically during childhood, through the eyes of an unnamed girl. The simple writing style ensures it’s an fast read, but the emotional impact is found hidden between the lines. Books don’t often make me cry nowadays, but this one made me tear up.
Keegan effortlessly depicts the significance of a loving family, specifically during childhood, through the eyes of an unnamed girl. The simple writing style ensures it’s an fast read, but the emotional impact is found hidden between the lines. Books don’t often make me cry nowadays, but this one made me tear up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Physical abuse
The physical abuse is merely implied.madreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
3.5
I enjoyed this wee novella, Claire Keegan has beautiful prose. But, I also was confused by the author's choice to include the word g*p*y more than once in the text. This took me out of the story and even when attempting to make assumptions about when the book was set and what language people would have used at the time, I felt it an unnecessary part of the piece.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs