48 pages • 1 hour read
Claire KeeganSmall Things Like These
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of gender discrimination and child abuse.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. What did you make of Keegan’s quiet, restrained style? Did the style enhance your appreciation of the story or leave you wanting more detail?
2. Have you read Keegan’s other novel, Foster? How does it compare to Small Things Like These?
3. Discuss the 1980s Irish setting of the story. Were you surprised the story is modern given the main storyline?
4. Did the ambiguous ending leave you hopeful or frustrated with the lack of closure? Why do you think Keegan chose to end the novel this way?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with personal experiences.
1. Have you ever faced a moral dilemma similar to Bill Furlong’s, where doing the right thing comes with personal risks? How did you handle it, and did the story make you reflect on your situation differently?
2. How did you feel about the novel’s portrayal of religion? What role does religion play in the lives of various characters, and how does this compare to your own experience (or those of people you know)?
