

#29615
Mentioned in 3 episodes
Foster
Book • 1900
In this novella, Claire Keegan tells the story of a young girl sent to live with foster parents, John and Edna Kinsella, on a farm in rural Ireland in the summer of 1981.
The girl, who is unused to home comforts, finds affection and warmth in the Kinsellas' care and begins to blossom.
However, the story is marked by an underlying tension and the eventual revelation of a secret that threatens her newfound happiness.
The narrative explores themes of family, belonging, and the profound impact of kindness on a child's life.
The book is praised for its sparse yet elegant prose and its ability to evoke powerful emotions through subtle storytelling.
The girl, who is unused to home comforts, finds affection and warmth in the Kinsellas' care and begins to blossom.
However, the story is marked by an underlying tension and the eventual revelation of a secret that threatens her newfound happiness.
The narrative explores themes of family, belonging, and the profound impact of kindness on a child's life.
The book is praised for its sparse yet elegant prose and its ability to evoke powerful emotions through subtle storytelling.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 3 episodes
Mentioned by Nat as an exceptional, award-winning novella set in Ireland, described as hard to explain but quite good.

The Best Fantasy & SciFi Books We Read in 2024 (Ep. 7)
Discussed in terms of semiotic narration and its structure with chapters.

Jane Elizabeth Dougherty, "Narrating Irish Female Development, 1916-2018" (Edinburgh UP, 2024)
Mentioned by Sarah Kanowski as one of
Claire Keegan 's published works, adapted into an Oscar-nominated film.


Claire Keegan on bravery, writing and the single life