NOVEL OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Shortlisted for the Dalkey Novel of the Year Award 2022

Claire Keegan was brought up on a farm in Ireland. Her stories have won numerous awards and are translated into more than 20 languages. Foster was named by The Times as one of the top 10 novels to be published in the 21st Century. Keegan is now holding the Briena Staunton Fellowship at Pembroke College, Cambridge

About: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

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.

The long-awaited new work from the author of Foster, Small Things Like These is an unforgettable story of hope, quiet heroism and tenderness.

Reviews

“Foster confirms Claire Keegan's talent. She creates luminous effects with spare material, so every line seems to be a lesson in the perfect deployment of both style and emotion.” – Hilary Mantel

“This is a tale of courage and compassion, of good sons and vulnerable young mothers. Absolutely beautiful.” – Douglas Stuart Winner of the Booker Prize 2020

“Marvellous-exact and icy and loving all at once.” – Sarah Moss

“A haunting, hopeful masterpiece.” – Sinead Gleeson

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