While you were touching on the symbolism of crows (often foreboding) it occurred to me that when I read the book months ago, I hadn’t really looked into Keegan’s other possible uses of allusions. So, I just checked out the name William and struck gold on Wikipedia by learning that Saint William of Perth, Scotland is recognized in both the Catholic and Anglican Churches for his kindness to the poor and being the patron saint of adopted children. Years after helping a particular child, his kindness was betrayed by murder. From the dictionary I learned that Furlong was an old description for the amount of land an oxen could plow in a day. Keegan’s Irish and British readers may have been more aware of the references. The cover art for each of the U.S. and overseas editions of the book certainly implies that there is a cozy seasonal story contained within. Thanks for your well-framed and thoughtful review. I thought Keegan’s writing was beautiful and economical. The ending was on point because in the years that followed the story’s setting so much ugliness continued to be uncovered.
I did not know there was a St. William, but it seems impossible that Keegan didn't know that he was the patron saint of adopted children when she chose the name William for her main character. I knew that Furlong was a measure of distance because it is a term used in horse racing. The cover are does give the impression of a cozy Christmas story. Thank you for the information and for the great comment Mary
I've also read that William may refer to the Protestant King William III of England, William of Orange, who defeated the Catholic King James II of England--deposed by William during the Glorious Revolution of 1688--at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690. The idea of William as 'king' might also tie in with Mrs Kehoe joking quotation from Shakespeare in chapter 7 where she says to Bill, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown", which she seems to intend to apply to both of them as business owners.
I really loved this book when I read it in December and it had a huge impact on me in many ways. I didn’t find it sentimental in the least, as I’ve seen many people mention, but raw and heartbreaking, I also find the dismissiveness of calling it a Christmas story very strange, for the most part we associate very emotional stories with the holiday and a heighten sense of compassion and that shouldn’t be a bad thing. Also, this really hovers “around” Christmas, very much in the same way as Capote’s A Christmas Memory or O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi do. They are stories of the Christmas season, rather than stories “of” Christmas. And like those two works, they draw their power on the emotional responses evoked by the season, again very much centered on compassion or selflessness for others. And like those two other stories I find Small Things Like These tapping into something universal and timeless beyond their settings in place and time. All three are perfect little gems. One of the big impacts for me was that I’ve always been dismissive of small or very short books to the point that they weren’t even significant enough to be included in books I’ve read lists like on GoodReads. As if because of their size they didn’t deserve to “count,” which of course is ridiculous, especially as someone who reads children’s literature extensively and encourages other people too as well and to not dismiss it as good reading or as excellent literary works. That children’s books count too, has always been one of my main mantras. What this did was make me embrace small powerful books and have it become part of my reading goal for the year, reading one a month and very much making it count as books read. It’s definitely been one of my most satisfying and enjoyable goals for the year, not to mention helping up my year end numbers! Powerful things come in small packages. Finally, I’ve made a decision to annually read it in December. For the last twenty or so years I usually read Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice, or in particular The Santaland Diaries each year as a seasonal tradition. But of course that is very cynical and biting, as enjoyable as it might be. I like the idea of adding Small Things Like These as a more reflective work to think about what I might do to make things better if not for the world than perhaps one person (or creature) even if it might cost something to me. It’s a message that’s good to be reminded of and reflect upon. The last comment is that Keegan and the publisher knew what they were doing when they published this as a stand-alone work and didn’t put it into a collection of stories with a novella like many writers do. They had great confidence in it’s power to tell a story and of its literary value and that isolating it as it’s own book was the right and best thing. I wish this was true of more works. I read a short story collection last year which had a chopped up novella interspersed with stories by young author that potentially could have been a strong work, but was really ruined for me and ineffective as a literary work that way. I hope the success and admiration for this book inspires other publisher to trust the work and publish them as stand alone pieces.
I agree that I don't think it is sentimental at all and I had not thought about the dismissiveness of calling it a Christmas book when what we think of as Christmas books often evoke the best in us. I have not read those stories, but now I want to. I think we have a tendency to think of short books as lacking depth, development. If, as I think Small Things Like These does, they create an emotional response and a create, palpable sense of place and people there is no reason that short books should be discounted as less serious. I find view short stories in the same way. I like your reasons for making Small Things like these an annual read. Thanks for the amazing comment Michael
I admire your input and the way you outpost your opinion. I also feel from the realm I grew up in relation to your cultural belief parallel in similar but different change for a greater growth of character tradition and belief unconsciously so we all in all for the outer all to evolve. Praise be to the opnipotent father and omniscient mother and omnipresent us awoken.
Excellent review, I’m surprised to see many people describe this novel as a feel good Christmas story. Nothing of the sort. I really enjoyed this book. The first 1/3 it felt a little uneventful but I kept going, sensing a certain unease and sadness in the character, like there was something to be realised. As many of us go through approaching 40. I found this book surprisingly moving despite it being so short and not heavy on building characters. The way the book ended was perfect in my view, and left me with a sense of understanding for the times, a sadness and hope on many levels. Beautiful book. enjoyed this review just as I’d finished the book, as I had missed the symbolism with the crows which rings very clear now. I believe this is one of those rare books I will read again.
Thank you very much for the kind words. It sounds like we had really similar reactions to this extraordinary book. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Just Excellent. So much to appreciate in each and every carefully chosen word in Small Things Like These. Thanks for helping me appreciate deep reading.
Wonderful review, Brian, and not just because I agree with everything you said. 😌 I cannot understand people who love the book and either think it is an uplifting Christmas story to be reread annually along with Dickens or perhaps after viewing It's a Wonderful Life, OR who think there wasn't enough story, no "there" there. OR, who wanted to know what happened next. What happened next was most likely a sh!t storm. Fa la la la la! I think the book is a small miracle. Now, let's hope you haven't jinxed it like you did The Colony!
"A small miracle" is an apt description. Like you I saw only the conflict and the uncertainty in the ending and feel like Bill had for sure walked into a sh*t storm. I most likely jinxed this book too, but fingers crossed. Thanks Nina.
Great review and a great book! I agree that it is not a happy, Christmas book. But it is the story of a good man doing the right thing when it would be easier all around to ignore evil. I think it’s beautifully written, too, and powerful, especially for its compact size. Highly recommended!
I read it back in January. It grabbed me at the beginning but I don’t think it should have been a short story. I wanted deeper character study (I liked Furlong), I wanted more story. I never felt it was warm& fuzzy, I just felt it was abrupt / incomplete.
i loved this book as well and i’m glad you did too! amazing video. and thanks for pointing out the crows, i thought that was fascinating and didn’t get it the first time through :)
I was surprised to see that the book is set in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. My 3rd great grandparents emigrated to the US from here in the early 1800’s. The Kennedy family was also from New Ross. Anxious to read this book and hear your thoughts.
I had not made that connection between New Ross and the Kennedy's. In fact, it hadn't occurred to me that New Ross was even a real town. I hope you will enjoy the book.
Excellent review on a topic that has been tearing at my heart ever since I watched the movie "The Magdalene Sisters back in early 2000's, I just recently read this book and the horror's of those times came rushing back. I feel that Ms Keegan handled the subject smartly and for sure you are correct it is not a heart warming Christmas story. Everyone should read this book and become familiar with what was really happening to these girls, and it wasn't just about laundry, Thanks for reviewing this book.
I agree. I will be looking for that movie. I didn't go into the details of the way the girls were treated because I felt that be a kind of spoiler, but even the glimpses that we get in this book convey some sense of the horror. Thanks for the great comment Deb.
Thanks for the excellent review, Brian. I haven't read this yet but plan to and your thoughts are always helpful in understanding or getting a different prospective than my own. Now, all I have to do is remember that you did review it! Thanks again.
You made me want to read the book. In some way the novel reminded me of the german film The Life of Others (2006). The protagonist also decided at some point to do what he thought would be the right thing and there also was no happy ending for him. But nevertheless he know that his decision was right. Thank you for the review!
I think by ending the story where she did Keegan leaves it to us to finish the novel. Is Bill rewarded for doing the right thing -- it seems unlikely. Does his family survive? We hope, etc. That uncertainty is, I think, part of its power. Thanks Sabine
Well I agree with all of that Brian! I read it in the new year and while I thought it was a wonderful little book I’m slightly bemused to see it on the Booker shortlist! But then I wonder why I seem to be biased towards the long and weighty rather than the small and perfectly formed - good novels can come in all shapes and sizes!
Hey how are you? Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes came in the mail yesterday, been reading that. Haven’t read this, but I have added to a never ending tbr to which I keep telling myself” I don’t need another book”, but eh consumerism always wins.
Happy coincidence that you review the day after I finished reading. I found it enjoyable and easy to read but nothing special. I don't think it does anything worthy of a Booker. Only real problem I had was that at one point in the story, Bill released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. This is just so trite it's eye-rolling bad. Other than that, agree that the writing was good and liked your 5 points of discussion. Thanks for the great content.
Yeah, I agree with you. I can see why it was put up for the prize, I just don’t particularly liked heavy-handed prescriptive didactic stories, even if they’re innovative of the kind of formula, which is why I think it made the cut.
I don't think its all that didactic. I think it is clear in its condemnation of the Magdalene Laundries, but I'm not sure its as clear about Furlong's action. He certainly puts his family in a dangerous position and I'm not sure that Keegan didn't intend to leave us with ambiguous feelings about what he did. Thanks Fraser.
@@BookishTexan Do the right thing, as you feel and see it, not as you’re told, and without hope of a reward on the horizon. We aren’t given more information beyond that, so without extrapolating the unambiguous reads plainly when you boil it down to what happened and what information we’ve provided. The fact that it brings trouble for him only seems to reinforce the didactic reading to me. They don’t ever do the right thing because it is easy, after all.
@@SpringboardThought I just don't agree that the book is trying to impart a moral lesson. If there is a message in the book it seems to me to be something closer to, "Doing good doesn't come without risk." That isn't original or earth shattering, but it also isn't, to me, a heavy handed moralizing message. I don't think Keegan is suggesting we should all do what Furlong does. I think she questions Furlong's motives and shows that he hasn't really thought his action through. As he gets to his door fear of what he has done and what will happen has to be beaten back by his belief that his family will "manage." I think Keegan intends for us to fill in the blanks about what happens to Furlong, his family, Sarah, and the Magdalene Laundries after the story ends and to me this calls into question the idea that she is encouraging us to emulate Furlong. Enjoying our discussion here.
@@BookishTexanwell, it has been a while since I read it, I just remember thinking that the crux of it is a moral dilemma, which led it down a very predictable and perfunctory path, and when every obstacle in a story is a crisis of faith and determining a value, I’m not sure you can navigate away from that. The nuance came from the dependency on the institution that was clearly morally bankrupt, and he decided despite hardship, to not be, and the chips fall where they may because of it. When the only choice, conflict, central musing of a character, and resolution is moral, I think it is a moral story, you know? It’s black and white, good and bad. How many times can you look away and then he doesn’t. The fallout seems immaterial to me, because she eschews it. We can extrapolate but it’s an extrapolation of the fallout of the resolution of a moral choice. It flattened the entire thing down for me, as you can see, because it’s just not interesting because you both foresee the outcome and it’s preaching to the choir. Poor people have limited choices and institutions are corrupt and indoctrinate people, and yet we are confronted with our own sense of morality regardless. All we have is what happens in the story, is my way of thinking.
@@SpringboardThought I think a book can be about one man's morality without attempting to teach/preach a moral lesson. Certainly Furlong's own sense of right and wrong, shaped by his own life experience, are the heart of the novel. But I think Keegan gives us Furlong's personal history and describes his family life as a way of making his decision to act less about morality (right and wrong) and more about repaying a debt and reacting as a father. I think Keegan wants us to admire his decision to act to end one person's suffering and at the same time question the wisdom of that decision and think about its implications beyond the book. That the plot is predictable to me indicates that the book is about something far more complex than a strict reading of the text would indicate. For a book that seems to be definitive about right and wrong it introduces a lot of doubt. No character in the novel knows what we the reader can know about the Magdalene Laundries. They don't know that there is a monumental evil happening in their midst -- neither does Furlong. So to judge them as morally bankrupt is harsh and I think Keegan intends for us to empathize with them. Again, I think the last lines of the book are intended to introduce doubt and to make us the reader think about the ramifications of Furlong's actions beyond the confines of the story. For example, is it right to attempt to end one person's suffering at the risk of impoverishing your family and thus increasing theirs?
Having faith in you wife does not mean you can take risks with the children's future without talking to her first. Your review is the closest to my reaction to this book that I've heard.
I didn't go into that in the review, but I can't help wondering if that isnt a part of what Keegan is trying to impart. By taking this action Furlong is making a decision that will negatively affect his wife and kids and he did it without any consultation with them. That's pretty high handed. The way he made the decision is selfish even if the act is selfless because he is expecting/ requiring his family to follow along. Thanks for the great comment PJ
@@BookishTexan Perhaps Furlong's action is similar to the nuns and priests convincing themselves that they're doing good for people and their God but in actuality doing atrocious things. The self-righteous cause dreadful harm to everyone around them.
While you were touching on the symbolism of crows (often foreboding) it occurred to me that when I read the book months ago, I hadn’t really looked into Keegan’s other possible uses of allusions. So, I just checked out the name William and struck gold on Wikipedia by learning that Saint William of Perth, Scotland is recognized in both the Catholic and Anglican Churches for his kindness to the poor and being the patron saint of adopted children. Years after helping a particular child, his kindness was betrayed by murder. From the dictionary I learned that Furlong was an old description for the amount of land an oxen could plow in a day. Keegan’s Irish and British readers may have been more aware of the references.
The cover art for each of the U.S. and overseas editions of the book certainly implies that there is a cozy seasonal story contained within.
Thanks for your well-framed and thoughtful review. I thought Keegan’s writing was beautiful and economical. The ending was on point because in the years that followed the story’s setting so much ugliness continued to be uncovered.
I did not know there was a St. William, but it seems impossible that Keegan didn't know that he was the patron saint of adopted children when she chose the name William for her main character. I knew that Furlong was a measure of distance because it is a term used in horse racing.
The cover are does give the impression of a cozy Christmas story.
Thank you for the information and for the great comment Mary
I've also read that William may refer to the Protestant King William III of England, William of Orange, who defeated the Catholic King James II of England--deposed by William during the Glorious Revolution of 1688--at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690. The idea of William as 'king' might also tie in with Mrs Kehoe joking quotation from Shakespeare in chapter 7 where she says to Bill, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown", which she seems to intend to apply to both of them as business owners.
I really loved this book when I read it in December and it had a huge impact on me in many ways. I didn’t find it sentimental in the least, as I’ve seen many people mention, but raw and heartbreaking, I also find the dismissiveness of calling it a Christmas story very strange, for the most part we associate very emotional stories with the holiday and a heighten sense of compassion and that shouldn’t be a bad thing.
Also, this really hovers “around” Christmas, very much in the same way as Capote’s A Christmas Memory or O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi do. They are stories of the Christmas season, rather than stories “of” Christmas. And like those two works, they draw their power on the emotional responses evoked by the season, again very much centered on compassion or selflessness for others. And like those two other stories I find Small Things Like These tapping into something universal and timeless beyond their settings in place and time. All three are perfect little gems.
One of the big impacts for me was that I’ve always been dismissive of small or very short books to the point that they weren’t even significant enough to be included in books I’ve read lists like on GoodReads. As if because of their size they didn’t deserve to “count,” which of course is ridiculous, especially as someone who reads children’s literature extensively and encourages other people too as well and to not dismiss it as good reading or as excellent literary works. That children’s books count too, has always been one of my main mantras.
What this did was make me embrace small powerful books and have it become part of my reading goal for the year, reading one a month and very much making it count as books read. It’s definitely been one of my most satisfying and enjoyable goals for the year, not to mention helping up my year end numbers! Powerful things come in small packages.
Finally, I’ve made a decision to annually read it in December. For the last twenty or so years I usually read Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice, or in particular The Santaland Diaries each year as a seasonal tradition. But of course that is very cynical and biting, as enjoyable as it might be. I like the idea of adding Small Things Like These as a more reflective work to think about what I might do to make things better if not for the world than perhaps one person (or creature) even if it might cost something to me. It’s a message that’s good to be reminded of and reflect upon.
The last comment is that Keegan and the publisher knew what they were doing when they published this as a stand-alone work and didn’t put it into a collection of stories with a novella like many writers do. They had great confidence in it’s power to tell a story and of its literary value and that isolating it as it’s own book was the right and best thing. I wish this was true of more works. I read a short story collection last year which had a chopped up novella interspersed with stories by young author that potentially could have been a strong work, but was really ruined for me and ineffective as a literary work that way. I hope the success and admiration for this book inspires other publisher to trust the work and publish them as stand alone pieces.
I agree that I don't think it is sentimental at all and I had not thought about the dismissiveness of calling it a Christmas book when what we think of as Christmas books often evoke the best in us.
I have not read those stories, but now I want to.
I think we have a tendency to think of short books as lacking depth, development. If, as I think Small Things Like These does, they create an emotional response and a create, palpable sense of place and people there is no reason that short books should be discounted as less serious. I find view short stories in the same way.
I like your reasons for making Small Things like these an annual read.
Thanks for the amazing comment Michael
I admire your input and the way you outpost your opinion. I also feel from the realm I grew up in relation to your cultural belief parallel in similar but different change for a greater growth of character tradition and belief unconsciously so we all in all for the outer all to evolve. Praise be to the opnipotent father and omniscient mother and omnipresent us awoken.
Excellent review, I’m surprised to see many people describe this novel as a feel good Christmas story. Nothing of the sort. I really enjoyed this book. The first 1/3 it felt a little uneventful but I kept going, sensing a certain unease and sadness in the character, like there was something to be realised. As many of us go through approaching 40.
I found this book surprisingly moving despite it being so short and not heavy on building characters. The way the book ended was perfect in my view, and left me with a sense of understanding for the times, a sadness and hope on many levels. Beautiful book.
enjoyed this review just as I’d finished the book, as I had missed the symbolism with the crows which rings very clear now.
I believe this is one of those rare books I will read again.
Thank you very much for the kind words. It sounds like we had really similar reactions to this extraordinary book. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Just Excellent. So much to appreciate in each and every carefully chosen word in Small Things Like These.
Thanks for helping me appreciate deep reading.
Thank you so much. I loved this book and hope to read Foster by Keegan soon
Thank you Claire Keegan is indeed a sublime author. Nuns live in convents rather than monasteries.
Thank you.
Wonderful review, Brian, and not just because I agree with everything you said. 😌 I cannot understand people who love the book and either think it is an uplifting Christmas story to be reread annually along with Dickens or perhaps after viewing It's a Wonderful Life, OR who think there wasn't enough story, no "there" there. OR, who wanted to know what happened next. What happened next was most likely a sh!t storm. Fa la la la la! I think the book is a small miracle.
Now, let's hope you haven't jinxed it like you did The Colony!
"A small miracle" is an apt description. Like you I saw only the conflict and the uncertainty in the ending and feel like Bill had for sure walked into a sh*t storm.
I most likely jinxed this book too, but fingers crossed.
Thanks Nina.
Great review and a great book! I agree that it is not a happy, Christmas book. But it is the story of a good man doing the right thing when it would be easier all around to ignore evil. I think it’s beautifully written, too, and powerful, especially for its compact size. Highly recommended!
Thank you Cheryl.
I agree with everything you said above.
I read it back in January. It grabbed me at the beginning but I don’t think it should have been a short story. I wanted deeper character study (I liked Furlong), I wanted more story. I never felt it was warm& fuzzy, I just felt it was abrupt / incomplete.
I kind of like not knowing exactly what happens to Furlong.
Thanks Deea
i loved this book as well and i’m glad you did too! amazing video. and thanks for pointing out the crows, i thought that was fascinating and didn’t get it the first time through :)
Thank you for the kind words!
Have you read Foster by Keegan? It is very nearly perfect
I was surprised to see that the book is set in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. My 3rd great grandparents emigrated to the US from here in the early 1800’s. The Kennedy family was also from New Ross. Anxious to read this book and hear your thoughts.
I had not made that connection between New Ross and the Kennedy's. In fact, it hadn't occurred to me that New Ross was even a real town. I hope you will enjoy the book.
Excellent review on a topic that has been tearing at my heart ever since I watched the movie "The Magdalene Sisters back in early 2000's, I just recently read this book and the horror's of those times came rushing back. I feel that Ms Keegan handled the subject smartly and for sure you are correct it is not a heart warming Christmas story. Everyone should read this book and become familiar with what was really happening to these girls, and it wasn't just about laundry, Thanks for reviewing this book.
I agree. I will be looking for that movie. I didn't go into the details of the way the girls were treated because I felt that be a kind of spoiler, but even the glimpses that we get in this book convey some sense of the horror.
Thanks for the great comment Deb.
Her imagery is just beautiful, I completely agree. I adore this book and I think your review was spot on ☺️
Thank you Charlie. I think the writing is amazing.
Thanks for the excellent review, Brian!🌷I’ll be reading Small Things shortly. Very much looking forward to it.
I hope you like the book. Thanks Emma
Thank you very much; greetings from Saudi Arabia.
Thank you. Hello to you in Saudi Arabia
Thanks for the excellent review, Brian. I haven't read this yet but plan to and your thoughts are always helpful in understanding or getting a different prospective than my own. Now, all I have to do is remember that you did review it! Thanks again.
I hope that you will like it when you get a chance to read it.
Thanks Penny.
You have peeked my interest. My library has it as an audiobook so I will take a listen tonight.
The good news is that it wont take you long to listen. So, if you don't like it at least you haven't invested much time.
😁
@@BookishTexan I throughly enjoyed the story and all that it leads one to ponder upon.
I think this will be on my TBR for this week. Thanks for the review!
It wont take you long to read it 😁
Thanks Kelly
Thank you for your helpful review.
Thank you.
Really enjoyed this analysis, I also read this some time ago and it really refreshed it for me.
Thank you Barbara
Thanks a lot for your review. It added some hints to understand it better
Thank you for the kind comment!
You made me want to read the book. In some way the novel reminded me of the german film The Life of Others (2006). The protagonist also decided at some point to do what he thought would be the right thing and there also was no happy ending for him. But nevertheless he know that his decision was right. Thank you for the review!
I think by ending the story where she did Keegan leaves it to us to finish the novel. Is Bill rewarded for doing the right thing -- it seems unlikely. Does his family survive? We hope, etc. That uncertainty is, I think, part of its power.
Thanks Sabine
Well I agree with all of that Brian! I read it in the new year and while I thought it was a wonderful little book I’m slightly bemused to see it on the Booker shortlist! But then I wonder why I seem to be biased towards the long and weighty rather than the small and perfectly formed - good novels can come in all shapes and sizes!
I was surprised it made the long list for the same reason. Though, I don't share the bias in favor of long, weighty books.
Thanks Ian.
@@BookishTexan I wonder if the bias starts with many of the classics being so big?
@@ianp9086 That could be. Though there are a few shortish classics.
Hey how are you? Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes came in the mail yesterday, been reading that. Haven’t read this, but I have added to a never ending tbr to which I keep telling myself” I don’t need another book”, but eh consumerism always wins.
I am well Zeno and I hope you are as well. I have only read bits and pieces of Hobbes. My TBR is seemingly endless at this point.
This sounds like a nice book, but also sounds like one I don't need to read.
Not every book is for everybody. Thanks for watching Kevvie.
Happy coincidence that you review the day after I finished reading. I found it enjoyable and easy to read but nothing special. I don't think it does anything worthy of a Booker. Only real problem I had was that at one point in the story, Bill released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. This is just so trite it's eye-rolling bad. Other than that, agree that the writing was good and liked your 5 points of discussion. Thanks for the great content.
We have differing opinions, but I appreciate you explaining yours here.
Thanks for the great comment MerlinFive!
Yeah, I agree with you. I can see why it was put up for the prize, I just don’t particularly liked heavy-handed prescriptive didactic stories, even if they’re innovative of the kind of formula, which is why I think it made the cut.
I don't think its all that didactic. I think it is clear in its condemnation of the Magdalene Laundries, but I'm not sure its as clear about Furlong's action. He certainly puts his family in a dangerous position and I'm not sure that Keegan didn't intend to leave us with ambiguous feelings about what he did.
Thanks Fraser.
@@BookishTexan Do the right thing, as you feel and see it, not as you’re told, and without hope of a reward on the horizon. We aren’t given more information beyond that, so without extrapolating the unambiguous reads plainly when you boil it down to what happened and what information we’ve provided. The fact that it brings trouble for him only seems to reinforce the didactic reading to me. They don’t ever do the right thing because it is easy, after all.
@@SpringboardThought I just don't agree that the book is trying to impart a moral lesson. If there is a message in the book it seems to me to be something closer to, "Doing good doesn't come without risk." That isn't original or earth shattering, but it also isn't, to me, a heavy handed moralizing message. I don't think Keegan is suggesting we should all do what Furlong does. I think she questions Furlong's motives and shows that he hasn't really thought his action through. As he gets to his door fear of what he has done and what will happen has to be beaten back by his belief that his family will "manage." I think Keegan intends for us to fill in the blanks about what happens to Furlong, his family, Sarah, and the Magdalene Laundries after the story ends and to me this calls into question the idea that she is encouraging us to emulate Furlong.
Enjoying our discussion here.
@@BookishTexanwell, it has been a while since I read it, I just remember thinking that the crux of it is a moral dilemma, which led it down a very predictable and perfunctory path, and when every obstacle in a story is a crisis of faith and determining a value, I’m not sure you can navigate away from that. The nuance came from the dependency on the institution that was clearly morally bankrupt, and he decided despite hardship, to not be, and the chips fall where they may because of it. When the only choice, conflict, central musing of a character, and resolution is moral, I think it is a moral story, you know? It’s black and white, good and bad. How many times can you look away and then he doesn’t. The fallout seems immaterial to me, because she eschews it. We can extrapolate but it’s an extrapolation of the fallout of the resolution of a moral choice. It flattened the entire thing down for me, as you can see, because it’s just not interesting because you both foresee the outcome and it’s preaching to the choir. Poor people have limited choices and institutions are corrupt and indoctrinate people, and yet we are confronted with our own sense of morality regardless. All we have is what happens in the story, is my way of thinking.
@@SpringboardThought I think a book can be about one man's morality without attempting to teach/preach a moral lesson. Certainly Furlong's own sense of right and wrong, shaped by his own life experience, are the heart of the novel. But I think Keegan gives us Furlong's personal history and describes his family life as a way of making his decision to act less about morality (right and wrong) and more about repaying a debt and reacting as a father. I think Keegan wants us to admire his decision to act to end one person's suffering and at the same time question the wisdom of that decision and think about its implications beyond the book. That the plot is predictable to me indicates that the book is about something far more complex than a strict reading of the text would indicate. For a book that seems to be definitive about right and wrong it introduces a lot of doubt. No character in the novel knows what we the reader can know about the Magdalene Laundries. They don't know that there is a monumental evil happening in their midst -- neither does Furlong. So to judge them as morally bankrupt is harsh and I think Keegan intends for us to empathize with them. Again, I think the last lines of the book are intended to introduce doubt and to make us the reader think about the ramifications of Furlong's actions beyond the confines of the story. For example, is it right to attempt to end one person's suffering at the risk of impoverishing your family and thus increasing theirs?
that was helpful. thanks brian.
Thank you curious.
I love your videos
Thank you that is very kind
Excellent review. Not a feel good story. Eileen has signalled what her attitude might be to his good deed. Frosty probably to go with the weather.
Thank you. I agree I don’t think his wife is going to be pleased.
Having faith in you wife does not mean you can take risks with the children's future without talking to her first. Your review is the closest to my reaction to this book that I've heard.
I didn't go into that in the review, but I can't help wondering if that isnt a part of what Keegan is trying to impart. By taking this action Furlong is making a decision that will negatively affect his wife and kids and he did it without any consultation with them. That's pretty high handed. The way he made the decision is selfish even if the act is selfless because he is expecting/ requiring his family to follow along.
Thanks for the great comment PJ
@@BookishTexan Perhaps Furlong's action is similar to the nuns and priests convincing themselves that they're doing good for people and their God but in actuality doing atrocious things. The self-righteous cause dreadful harm to everyone around them.
Sooo, about Small Things...
Haha! touché