In Claire Keegan’s deeply evocative novella Small Things Like These, set against the raw chill of an Irish winter in 1985, a coal merchant, Bill Furlong, finds himself at a moral crossroads. As he uncovers the hidden cruelties of a Magdalene laundry run by a convent, he is forced to confront the veiled silences of his community, the power of the Catholic Church, and even his own past. While Keegan’s story is shaped by restraint and understatement, it conveys the power of individual conscience amidst institutionalized darkness. Recently adapted into a film starring Cillian Murphy, the story’s exploration of community, complicity, and courage gains new layers of visibility on screen.
A Story Reimagined on Screen
Adapted into a film directed by Tim Mielants, Small Things Like These has garnered attention for its subtle yet forceful storytelling, premiering to acclaim at the Berlin Film Festival. Cillian Murphy, who produces and stars as Furlong, brings a measured intensity to the role. Speaking to the universality of Keegan’s story, Murphy describes how the narrative “asks essential questions about our own roles in systemic injustices.” Joining him in this affecting adaptation are actors Emily Watson, Eileen Walsh, and Michelle Fairley, with screenwriter Enda Walsh’s adaptation deepening Keegan’s themes of moral bravery. The release of Small Things Like These has resonated not only due to its exquisite storytelling but also as a reminder of Ireland’s dark history with the Magdalene laundries. Keegan’s writing, paired with Murphy’s performance, places a compassionate light on past traumas, reminding viewers of the courageous impact a single voice can have in the face of institutional darkness.
About the Author: Claire Keegan
Claire Keegan’s works have earned her a distinguished place in contemporary literature, translated into over thirty languages and celebrated with numerous awards, including the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction and the Seamus Heaney Award for Arts and Letters. Known for her mastery of brevity, Keegan’s Small Things Like These stands as a testament to her ability to capture profound emotional truths within compact, nuanced narratives. She has become a literary voice of empathy and power, an artist who dares to shine a light on the hard-to-speak truths, leaving readers transformed by the quiet profundity of her stories.
Small Things Like These in Cinemas
Premiering across the UK and Ireland on November 1 and in the United States on November 8, the film adaptation of Small Things Like These offers audiences a story that combines Keegan’s exquisite prose with the visual power of cinema. As the tale of Bill Furlong reaches wider audiences, Keegan’s message—that even small acts of courage can change lives—continues to echo in an increasingly complex world.
