Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan book cover
🌶️ Clean

Small Things Like These

116 pages 2021 Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction 🌶️ Clean Standalone
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The Vibe

1985, Christmas. Bill Furlong is a coal merchant in a small Irish town. When he delivers fuel to the local convent, he discovers something in the coal shed that forces him to choose between his family's safety and doing what's right. At 116 pages, every word carries the weight of a novel.

Spice Check

🌶️ Clean

Clean — moral weight, not romantic content.

Content Heads-Up

Is This Book for You?

Skip if you dislike:

Ending: Quietly powerful
Pacing: Fast

What This Book Feels Like

Moods: Quiet Haunting Moral Devastating

Tropes: Small Town Secrets Magdalene Laundries Moral Courage Christmas Setting

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really 116 pages?

Yes — a novella that packs the emotional weight of 500 pages.

Is the Magdalene Laundry content graphic?

Implied more than shown — the restraint makes it more powerful.

Is there a movie?

Yes — starring Cillian Murphy, released 2024.

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