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Lark Benobi's Reviews > Small Things Like These
Small Things Like These
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I found the first half of this novel to be a little quiet. I wish it had begun about halfway through and that it had been conceived as a short story. There seem to be some opinions in me about how this story is told--I think I would have preferred the story to be told from the point of view of one of the Magdalen girls, rather than a perspective that seems a little distant to me. There is a quiet grace in the prose that I found pleasant to read, but it didn't grip me. Furlong, the protagonist, is a good person trying to do the right thing, to an extent that he seemed a little one-note.
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David
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rated it 3 stars
Dec 06, 2021 08:06PM
I also thought it was a little odd that the story was all about girls and women, but told from the perspective of the only man.
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David wrote: "I also thought it was a little odd that the story was all about girls and women, but told from the perspective of the only man."You'll have to explain to me one day why this as a 5-star read for you, David. The best thing I can say about it was that it was well-intended.
You always have a great perspective on things, which I really admire, Claire. Although I haven't read this book yet, I think I understand why you'd have preferred it was written from one of the girls' POV. It would probably have made sense that way, and may have been more powerful. Kudos!
A lot of readers here thought this novella was perfectly written, Jodi, but it was a little too restrained for me.
I was disappointed at how this serious issue - church abuse - gets the brush off treatment.
Salty wrote: "I was disappointed at how this serious issue - church abuse - gets the brush off treatment."It was too understated for me, too.
Finally a point of view that corresponds to my thoughts on this. This made me livid regarding that authorial choice, who needs to read about the kind male saviour, when the real issue is only just being exposed for what it was. It's not enough to dedicate the story to victims and then create a protagonist that makes readers sympathise with one of the symbols of their oppression, casting him as saviour.
Good - I've tried several of her short stories - I don't like.
I think Furlong is different because of his background - and he chooses to act because of this - so the past of the story is an essential element. Most people would view the girl as sinful and refuse help but Furlong is able to act outside the norm of the Catholic culture - that's the point of the story. If the girl tell's her own story- we have the regular perspective of victimization of women because of religion. Keegan presents a male gaze without power because of his past. It's interesting that the mother of Furlong worked for a Protestant woman - who helps. The story is an incision of who holds power - with the precepts of Religion begin tackled head on.
Laura wrote: "Good - I've tried several of her short stories - I don't like."Hmm - I've actually read two of Keegan's book since I wrote this in response to your review above - originally posted in March.
I've found her to be a very authentic writer - one or two of her short stories I found weak in the "Antarctica" collection, but her short story "Foster" is very good.
Power of words - eh!
Agree with this. I had a hard time connecting with the meat of the story bc furlong seemed to be an outsider of what was actually happening
DeLayna wrote: "Agree with this. I had a hard time connecting with the meat of the story bc furlong seemed to be an outsider of what was actually happening"It felt a little quiet for me to engage in either the main story or the back story.
I hadn't considered the issue of who's telling the story. I see your point, but I think that would be a different story. As it is, Bill's life and dilemma is more relatable to me, and probably to many other readers.
Cecily, I need to read this again soon. It’s definitely one of those times when I went into the book with a certain preconceived expectation and blamed the book when it didn’t conform to that expectation.
We all do that sometimes. The timing of reading a book can make such a huge difference.
