Book Review: ‘Small Things Like These’ by Claire Keegan
Read time: 1 min Claire Keegan sets Small Things Like These in 1985 where Bill Furlong, a loving husband and caring father, with five daughters, delivers fuel in County Wexford, Ireland. One of his customers is a convent on the outskirts of New Ross. One day he notices that there is a poor girl seemingly living in the coal…
Book Review: ‘Foster’ by Claire Keegan
Read time: 2 mins This is a wholehearted recommendation. I enjoy novellas, they are quick to read compared to a novel, but have the scope to be more involving than a short story. Having finished a novella, I often think about the characters for a long time, mulling over the story and careful wordcraft of the author. One excellent…
Beginning, Middle and End
Read time: 4 mins Stories have been an integral part of human culture for centuries. From ancient myths to modern-day novels, stories have entertained, educated and inspired people across time and place. A key element of a good story is its structure, which typically includes a beginning, a middle and an end. I would argue that, for a compelling…
Book Review: ‘The Map of Leaves’ by Yarrow Townsend
Read time: 2 mins At the front of the YA title, A Map of Leaves by Yarrow Townsend (published by Chicken House) is a delightful map, with places like Roaring Weir and Dead Elm Strand. The inclusion of a map often promises an adventurous journey and that is the case here. Plants matter We soon meet twelve-year-old Orla Carson,…
Should My Book Have An Epilogue?
Read time: 3 mins An epilogue – the final section of a story – brings closure and ties in loose ends. It can be an essential part of a narrative, helping to connect different elements of a story and give the reader some sense of resolution. But is an epilogue needed? There are pros and cons of including an…
The Joy of Stories
Read time: 2 mins Stories have been a part of human culture for as long as we can remember. From ancient cave paintings to modern day novels, storytelling has how we have preserved and passed on our cultural traditions, beliefs, and values between one another and from one generation to the next. But why do we find so much…
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