Preview
  • Small Things Like These

  • By: Claire Keegan
  • Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
  • Length: 1 hr and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,658 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Small Things Like These

By: Claire Keegan
Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $7.73

Buy for $7.73

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The landmark new novel from award-winning author Claire Keegan

It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man, faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery that forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.

Already an international best seller, Small Things Like These is a deeply affecting story of hope, quiet heroism, and empathy from one of our most critically lauded and iconic writers.

©2021 Claire Keegan (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Small Things Like These

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,224
  • 4 Stars
    284
  • 3 Stars
    105
  • 2 Stars
    27
  • 1 Stars
    18
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,242
  • 4 Stars
    187
  • 3 Stars
    54
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,117
  • 4 Stars
    255
  • 3 Stars
    67
  • 2 Stars
    41
  • 1 Stars
    18

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Gem

I thoroughly enjoyed this short novel. Poignant and beautify written, the characters came alive for me and transported me into the story. It is a moving listen, especially at Christmas time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning!

What a gift is this little story of awakening to the true meaning of letting Christ’s love shine through in your life! Breathtakingly beautiful, yet simple prose…..an unforgettable work, evoking our inner desire to overcome our inhibitions and act boldly in charity!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The best book I've read this year!

The Magdalene Laundries have a peripheral role in this story, i.e., we get glimpses of them through the protagonist's eyes. But, fear not -- this is not a downer story. Just the opposite, the writing was beautifully crafted such that one man's heart is the main story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. Beautiful in language and spirit. A short, uplifting read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A powerful short novel

Claire Keegan writes beautifully, and her story is very moving. The characters develop in such a way that you feel you've always known them.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best writing I have encountered, ever.

This novella is a masterpiece, in a league with Joyce. Not a superfluous word within it. And the narration is superb. Brava!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read it

The only thing I did not like is that it ended so quickly. The narration is superb. The story is simple and quite worthy of your time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A tender tale of compassion and hope in small things done

A beautifully and tenderly written tale of human compassion and the power of taking action to acknowledge and correct a wrong.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Affecting story, now a new movie starring Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

This simple tale brings alive the world many of us lived in. So engrossing is the story that I have purchased the book to share with friends. Can’t wait to see the movie!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

the manger and the nuns

the hypocrisy and cruelty of a church and the nunns and oriests hiding behind its Cross and controlling and imprisoning but nit comforting the poor.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!