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Small Things Like These

What is small things like these?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Author Claire Keegan[2]
Published 21 October 2021[2]
Form Historical fiction novella[2]
Protagonist Bill Furlong, a coal and timber delivery man[1]
Setting 1985, a small Irish town[1]
Awards Orwell Prize for Political Fiction (2022)[2]

Small Things Like These is a historical fiction novella by Claire Keegan, published in 2021, about a coal merchant in 1980s Ireland who uncovers abuse at a convent.

Context

Small Things Like These is often confused with the film adaptation of the same name [2]. The novella is set in 1985 and follows Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, as he confronts the abuse at a local convent [1]. It won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction in 2022 [2]. For other literary works, see Poor Things or 10 Things I Hate About You.

Documented claims

  • The story centres on Bill Furlong's discovery of abuse connected to a convent and the social silence around it. [1]
  • The plot involves a convent and the Magdalene laundries in Ireland. [1]
  • The film adaptation stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong. [2]

Related

The Nature Of ThingsBoth are works with 'things' in the title, and readers interested in one may be curious about the other.On The Nature Of DaylightThis piece shares thematic elements of introspection and human experience, which may appeal to readers of the article.

Questions and answers

What is the main message of Small Things Like These?

The main message is about the importance of individual moral courage in the face of institutional silence and abuse [1].

What are Small Things Like These actually about?

It is about a coal and timber delivery man in 1980s Ireland who discovers abuse at a convent and must decide whether to act [1].

Was Small Things Like These based on a true story?

The novella is inspired by the real Magdalene laundries in Ireland, though it is a work of fiction [1].

Are Small Things Like These worth watching?

The film adaptation, starring Cillian Murphy, has been praised for its performances and emotional depth [2].

Sources

  1. 'Small Things Like These' add up to a seismic change in 1980s Ireland — npr.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Small Things Like These Ending Explained — screenrant.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Entertainment