NPR's Book of the Day: 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In the January 8, 2025 episode of NPR's Book of the Day, host Andrew Limbong engages in an insightful conversation with acclaimed Irish author Claire Keegan about her richly layered novella, Small Things Like These. This episode delves into the inspirations behind the book, its thematic depth, and Keegan's meticulous writing process, offering listeners an in-depth understanding of why this work has resonated so profoundly with audiences worldwide.

Discussion of 'Small Things Like These'

Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These has garnered significant accolades since its publication in 2021, including a Booker Prize nomination and selection for Oprah's latest book club. The novella has also been adapted into a film starring Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy, released in the fall of 2024.

Small Things Like These draws inspiration from the true and harrowing history of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries—institutions run by the Catholic Church where tens of thousands of women were forced into unpaid labor. The story centers on Bill Furlong, a coal merchant in a small Irish town during the Christmas season, who stumbles upon a disturbing secret within a local convent.

Themes and Resonance

The book's emotional depth and historical context have struck a chord with readers globally. Keegan discusses the contemporary relevance of her story, pondering its widespread resonance:

Claire Keegan (02:21): "I don't really know. I mean, I don't think anybody is able to measure why some books are successful and others aren't. But I do think that people probably are inclined towards my works because they're not long winded and they do seem to move people Emotionally, I think this book hit a nerve."

Keegan emphasizes that her intent was not to merely recount the cruelty and exploitation inherent in the Magdalene Laundries but to explore themes of hope and courage. She positions the narrative around Bill Furlong’s personal struggles and moral dilemmas, rather than solely focusing on the institutional atrocities.

The discussion extends to the societal silence surrounding the laundries:

Claire Keegan (04:10): "I was really interested in why people did and said nothing. And I do like to think the book answers that, because people were terrified and the church had such a stronghold."

Keegan highlights the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church in Ireland, underscoring how its dominance in various societal sectors contributed to the suppression of dissent and acknowledgment of injustices.

Writing Style and Process

Andrew Limbong probes into Keegan's distinctive writing style, characterized by its precision and brevity. Keegan attributes her succinctness to her literary background and personal inclinations:

Claire Keegan (07:02): "Well, I think my first love is poetry. But I'm not drawn to writing poetry because I'm drawn to paragraphs. I'm not even that interested in sentences. I'm just always trying to turn sentences into paragraphs because sentences are gregarious. They actually love the company of other sentences."

Her preference for the novella format allows for sustained intensity and focused narrative, distinguishing her work from traditional short stories or novels. Keegan explains her affinity for tension in storytelling:

Claire Keegan (08:24): "I'm really interested in writing tension. That's actually what keeps me reading as a reader. I'm really interested in tension. And almost every reader is. We call it different things. We call it a page-turning quality or we call it grip. There are several different names for it, but it is tension."

This focus on tension, often intertwined with themes of loss, drives the emotional core of her narratives.

When discussing her writing process, Keegan reveals a disciplined yet organic approach:

Claire Keegan (08:24): "I start at the beginning and I keep starting at the beginning every day and printing out what I have from the day before and going over it and trying to add a page or improve a page. And I just keep doing that every day until it's over."

She emphasizes continuous refinement, typically engaging in around 30 drafts, and eschews extensive plotting in favor of discovery-driven writing. This method allows her stories to unfold naturally, maintaining authenticity and emotional resonance.

Future Projects

Looking ahead, Keegan shares her plans to set her next novel on the farm where she was raised in County Wicklow. This return to her roots suggests a new exploration of personal and cultural landscapes, though she remains open to the story's direction:

Claire Keegan (09:52): "I'm going to write a book set on the farm where I was raised."

This forthcoming work promises to offer further reflections on Irish life, steeped in Keegan's signature narrative elegance and emotional depth.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Andrew Limbong expressing enthusiasm for Keegan's future endeavors and reiterating the widespread acclaim of Small Things Like These. Keegan's ability to intertwine historical truths with personal narratives, coupled with her disciplined yet flexible writing process, has cemented her place as a poignant and necessary voice in contemporary literature.

Notable Quotes

• Claire Keegan on emotional resonance:
  "I think this book hit a nerve." – [02:21]

• On the silence surrounding the Magdalene Laundries:
  "I was really interested in why people did and said nothing." – [04:10]

• Regarding her writing style and preference for paragraphs:
  "I'm just always trying to turn sentences into paragraphs because sentences are gregarious." – [07:02]

• On the importance of tension in storytelling:
  "I'm really interested in writing tension. That's actually what keeps me reading as a reader." – [08:24]

• Describing her writing process:
  "I keep starting at the beginning every day and printing out what I have from the day before and going over it and trying to add a page or improve a page." – [08:24]

Final Thoughts

Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst systemic oppression. Through her eloquent prose and focused narrative, Keegan not only sheds light on a dark chapter of Irish history but also celebrates the quiet acts of courage that define humanity. This NPR episode provides listeners with a deeper appreciation of Keegan's work and the enduring impact of her storytelling.