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So Late in the Day
So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men | Claire Keegan
39 posts | 38 read | 25 to read
From Booker Prize Finalist and bestselling author of "pitch perfect" (Boston Globe) Small Things Like These, comes a tryptic of stories about love, lust, betrayal, misogyny, and the ever-intriguing interchanges between women and men. Celebrated for her powerful short fiction, considered "among the form's most masterful practitioners" (New York Times), Claire Keegan now gifts us three exquisite stories, newly revised and expanded, together forming a brilliant examination of gender dynamics and an arc from Keegan's earliest to her most recent work. In "So Late in the Day," Cathal faces a long weekend as his mind agitates over a woman with whom he could have spent his life, had he behaved differently; in "The Long and Painful Death," a writer's arrival at the seaside home of Heinrich Bll for a residency is disrupted by an academic who imposes his presence and opinions; and in "Antarctica," a married woman travels out of town to see what it's like to sleep with another man and ends up in the grip of a possessive stranger. Each story probes the dynamics that corrupt what could be between women and men: a lack of generosity, the weight of expectation, the looming threat of violence. Potent, charged, and breathtakingly insightful, these three essential tales will linger with readers long after the book is closed.
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AnneCecilie
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#BookReport

I continued with the buddy reads; Dark Fire #ShardlakeBR and Unwell Women #SheSaid which I hope to have finished before tomorrow‘s weeklong forecast

I finished The Ghost Ship

I read So Late in the Day, My Name is Lucy Barton and The House at the Edge of Magic. These last two where the first books in different series and I‘m definitely continuing with both

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AnneCecilie
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Mehso-so

I think it‘s time for me to realize that Keegan isn‘t for me. This is the 3rd book I‘ve read and every time I feel a little underwhelmed. It‘s hard to explain but I always feel that I‘m missing something since I don‘t love them like so many others.

Leftcoastzen I haven‘t tried them but have had the same experience where everyone loved it and I‘m just meh on it. It‘s great there is so much out there to read, I don‘t feel bad , just move on. 2mo
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AnneCecilie
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#WeeklyForecast

Continue Unwell Women #SheSaid and Dark Fire #ShardlakeBR

I want to finish The Ghost Ship

I want to read So Late in the Day and My Name is Lucy Barton, maybe I can even read The house at the Edge of Magic

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Mehso-so

Interesting that this was published as both a novella and as the title story of a short story collection (guess publishers see 🤑 when one of their authors is shortlisted for the Booker Prize).

I didn‘t love this - it‘s basically just a man feeling sorry for himself, on the eve of his cancelled wedding, without doing the self reflecting necessary to be a better partner in the future.

Would have been more interesting from Sabine‘s POV.

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notreallyelaine

His mother had served everyone…When she went to sit down, with her own plate, his brother had reached out and quickly pulled the chair from under her - and she had fallen backward, onto the floor. She must have been near sixty years of age at that time…but his father had laughed - all three of them had laughed, heartily, and had kept on laughing while she picked the pancakes and the pieces of the broken plate up, off the floor.

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Cuilin
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#CoverLove #1red

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Keegan is fast becoming one of my favorites.

Eggs Beautiful ❤️❤️ 4mo
Suet624 Same 4mo
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plemmdog
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Pickpick

Well, this was quite dark. Keegan read from this at my local bookstore last fall and called out an audience member who was trying to photograph her during the reading. i love her writing. She almost fills the void Munro left, when she retired. looking forward to more.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Mehso-so

I have found myself to be a Keegan outlier. This is my second of her books, this on a small short story collection, and I am always left a bit meh about them. I want so much more than she is willing to give us. I guess I am just not suited for a well written slice of life story? I need more to grab into to keep me invested. I have one more that I bought that I will try later hopefully that one will hit the mark for me.

NatalieR I‘m an outlier too. 🙋🏻‍♀️ I‘ve only read one of her books and I couldn‘t get into it. I don‘t intend to read any more of her books. 😕 Too many other authors I enjoy reading. 🤓 6mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @NatalieR at least they are short? I have Foster already bought so I am going to try it, but even if I enjoy it it I probably will not read her again. 6mo
NatalieR @ChaoticMissAdventures True! 😅 I hope Foster is enjoyable for you. 6mo
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ManyWordsLater
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💕❤️💕❤️

JuniperWilde So so good 📚 7mo
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I will officially read anything this author writes. Unlike her other 2 novellas I‘ve read (Foster & Small Things Like These), this collection of 3 short stories is a bit darker. She touches on a broken engagement, a writer staying in a remote house, and a woman set on having her first affair while Christmas shopping for her family. Each story pulls you in quickly with its descriptions and atmosphere. I can‘t wait to read whatever she writes next.

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Night_Reader
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Pickpick

5/5 🌟

Yet another masterpiece by Claire Keegan, showcasing her unmatched talent for crafting deeply moving narratives in a concise format. With every page, she effortlessly transforms ordinary moments into literary gems and conveys profound insights, reaffirming her status as a true master of short stories.

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻♥️ She‘s so good. 8mo
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HeatherBookNerd
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Pickpick

Keegan‘s writing is deceptively simple. It‘s so bare, straightforward. And yet every story packs a punch. These short stories are so good. The last moments just linger.

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TrishB
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Pickpick

I don‘t like short stories and yet, here I am again with Claire. Who writes top notch short stories.

TheKidUpstairs I feel the same way! Short stories rarely work for me, and yet Keegan's stories work SO well! 8mo
TrishB @TheKidUpstairs she definitely has a skill! 8mo
andrew61 I haven't read it yet, but if you have access to New york Review of Books Podcasts where authors choose short stories, there is an episode where George Saunders chose this one but clare keegan read it which I'd really recommend. 8mo
See All 8 Comments
LeahBergen I‘ve really enjoyed the two I‘ve read! 8mo
Cathythoughts I‘ve only read Small Things ( so good ) I can imagine she‘d write a great short story 👍🏻❤️ 8mo
TrishB @andrew61 thanks- will see if I can track that down. 8mo
TrishB @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts very talented author. 8mo
HeatherBookNerd She‘s just a master storyteller 8mo
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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Pickpick

Three Short Stories in this collection. The title story, The Long and Painful Death, and Antarctica. Not a feel good book but Keegan manages to give a big story in a concise manner. I liked Foster much, much more. Still interesting and a good read. #Ireland

JanuarieTimewalker13 Book 8 2024 3/3/24 8mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 8mo
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Cuilin
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Pickpick

Oh, I love her writing style. What I found particularly interesting personally was the fact that she picked two story settings in locations in Ireland I‘m really familiar with, Arklow and Achill Island. I was able to completely visualize the characters on location, which is really cool. I love when that happens. Anybody else love it when they recognize the location in a book?

Aimeesue Yessssss! It adds so much to my enjoyment of a book when I know where the streets etc are. 8mo
Cuilin @Aimeesue exactly 🫶 8mo
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suvata
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Pickpick

• 64 pages • first pub 2023 • fiction • literary • short stories • Ireland 🇮🇪 • emotional • mysterious • reflective • 3 Stars

Claire Keegan presents us three exquisite stories, newly revised and expanded, together forming a brilliant examination of complex dynamics between women and men, particularly in regards to themes of love, lust, betrayal, and misogyny, in a reflective literary work.

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mjtwo
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Pickpick

28 Jan 2024
Sold in Australia as a standalone story (and not that cheaply), I nevertheless felt justified in the purchase as I have loved both Keegan books I have read. I also loved this, although the protagonist is a far cry from the lovely man at the centre of Small Things Like These. The focus here is on misogyny and although it is very short, I am not sure I wanted to spend any more time with Cathal.
Keegan is truly one of my favourites.

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rmaclean4
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January Reads. Slowly coming out of my reading slump!
5 🌟
So Late in the Day: Claire Keegan 📖
4.5 🌟
Day: Michael Cunningham 📖
3.5 🌟
Wednesday's Child: Yiyun Li 📖
North Woods: Daniel Mason 🎧
3 🌟
Absolution: Alice McDermott 🎧

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JuniperWilde
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I‘m excited to get into this after her last short novel. 📖 I‘ve just finished All About Love by Bell Hooks which may become a repeat. There was so much to reflect on and consider and feel into. I loved it and am looking forward to smart fiction.

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erzascarletbookgasm
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Pickpick

These are powerful stories, masterfully written with subtle messages on themes of misogyny, examining women-men relationships, and showing how women are looked down upon. 1st story was very good, 2nd stories was even better, and the last one was chilling. Highly recommend!

TrishB Sounds great 👍🏻 10mo
batsy Intriguing! Adding to the ever growing TBR 10mo
sarahbarnes On my TBR! 10mo
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rmaclean4
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Pickpick

First finished read of 2024. I have started 5 books but have not been able to finish any of them. This was great to sit and read cover to cover in a few hours. I love her writing. All three stories are masterful. 5 🌟

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Rissreads
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Pickpick

So small yet so mighty! 💪🏼
Loved it!

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jlhammar
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Pickpick

Three stellar stories that pack a punch. Keegan‘s understated, elegant prose is just perfection.

Tamra What a writer! 10mo
marleed I‘m a fan! 10mo
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Suet624
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Pickpick

Keegan has a way of getting inside a setting and a feeling so quickly. It‘s really astonishing. A very small book filled with three stories that convey so much. I loved it.

Photo is of the extraordinary hot chocolates my daughter-in-law made last night after a day of ice skating at a local resort. Always fun as a local to hang with the rich tourists and see how the other half lives.

5feet.of.fury So pretty! 😍 10mo
AmyG I just finished one of her books. She speaks volumes in so few words. Love her. And those look amazing! 10mo
Cuilin 🩷 Keegan. 10mo
kspenmoll Looks so cozy & yummy. I have the book on library waiting list. 10mo
batsy Yummy! 10mo
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

The title story "So Late in the Day" is a searing portrait of a misogynistic Irishman, a product of his environment no doubt. Will he learn the error of his ways?

The second story “A Long and Painful Death” follows a writer on her birthday, filled with simple pleasures, excellent descriptions but below the surface rage boils.

"Antarctica" takes place during the Christmas season but is decidedly not jolly. Just the way I like my holiday reads!

TheKidUpstairs Loved this collection, great review 10mo
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Chelsea.Poole
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The perfect Christmas Day read 🎄

Hope it was a nice holiday for everyone who celebrated and a good day for those who don‘t. I‘m exhausted and hitting the sack after many busy days!

BarbaraBB What a gorgeous photo 😍😍 10mo
Suet624 So pretty! 10mo
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MrsMalaprop
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Pickpick

Well that was quick! The latest short story offering from Claire Keegan. Funny story: my husband got this for me for Christmas. It‘s about an Irishman named Cathal, set in Wicklow. Many years ago I had a long term boyfriend called Cathal who I once went to Wicklow with. It would be a spoiler if I were to tell you how my life with Cathal mirrored some of the events in this book. #artimitatinglife

LeahBergen 😂😂 and now I want to know! 10mo
BarbaraBB Me too @LeahBergen 😂 10mo
CarolynM I‘m curious too🤔😆 10mo
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MrsMalaprop @LeahBergen @carolynm @BarbaraBB 😂 it‘s not that interesting. Look away now if you don‘t want a spoiler…the book is about Cathal who was supposed to get married, but his wife-to-be changed her mind and ended the relationship. I ended my relationship with Cathal and consider it was a lucky escape. Maybe he does too 🤷🏻‍♀️. He went on to marry someone else soon after we split & had two sets of male twins in close succession! (edited) 10mo
LeahBergen Haha! Thanks for satisfying our curiosity! 10mo
Jeg I so wanted to click on the spoiler but I‘ve resisted as I do want to read the book. 10mo
Chelsea.Poole Oh wow! Sounds like you could‘ve written the story! Just finished this — Keegan is masterful. (edited) 10mo
Rissreads Omg! I‘m rushing out the door to get my hands on this book JUST so I can know what happens! 🤣 10mo
Suet624 Well yes, the man in that story was very familiar to me. Unfortunately. 10mo
Rissreads If he is like the book Cathal, Sounds like he would have been the kind of man who would puff out his chest and make some stupid remark about being virile because he managed to sure not 1 but 2 sets of MALE twins! 10mo
Rissreads @Suet624 and to most of us! 10mo
42 likes11 comments
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Gleefulreader
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Pickpick

I really love Claire Keegan‘s work and how she manages to convey so much of the human condition in only a few pages. This book is only a single short story but it is a perfect examination of the way in which men can fail women in relationships.

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Kimbono
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Ah, Sunday morning, we meet again. 😍

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TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

There were three stories in this collection, all looking at the day edges of male-female relationships.

So Late in the Day - Excellent. A glimpse into a toxic mind, that is unfortunately all too common and real in society.

The Long and Painful Death - Honestly, this one might be perfect. I read it twice.

Antarctica - Disturbing. Superbly written, gets under your skin in under 40 pages and first makes it sing, and then makes it crawl.

Reggie Fantastic review! Stacked. 11mo
RebelReader I read this at Barnes &Noble while enjoying coffee and a cookie. Keegan never disappoints! 11mo
Chelsea.Poole I have this checked out. I need to make time to get to it. Sounds great! 11mo
TheKidUpstairs @Chelsea.Poole it's a really quick read, I read all three stories (and one twice) in a day. 11mo
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charl08

...the moment passed and she turned her head away. That was the problem with women falling out of love; the veil of romance fell away from their eyes, and they looked in and could read you.

Suet624 I reread that quote several times while reading the book. So good. 10mo
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BookBosomed1
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Pickpick

Keegan writes with wisdom and succinctness about complex subjects. With deep insight, she renders visible subjects that are sometimes invisible or minimized. This particular book is an expansion of previous stories Keegan has written about the intriguing and challenging interactions between women and men. Despite its brevity, this book will keep me thinking long after I finished it. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126262032

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steph_phanie
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Book mail!!! 📚 I have several current reads I need to complete before starting any of these, but which should I read first??

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Anna40
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Pickpick

The story So late in the day is brilliant BUT I wish I‘d known that the other stories in the collection are Antarctica and The long and painful death. I expected a few new stories and 20$ for 2 that I‘ve read already read and were published in her other collections - and I didn‘t even particularly like them - feels like a total rip off. You can read So Late in the day in The New Yorker for free & spend 20$ on something else!

Tamra Oh that seems like a cheap move on the publisher‘s part. 😠 I have Antarctica already on my shelf, so thank you for the heads up. I wouldn‘t have known otherwise. 12mo
Anna40 @Tamra yes I was really annoyed because I have a book budget and if I‘d known I could‘ve bought a different book on my list. Why couldn‘t they wait until she had 2 or 3 stories ready? It‘s just a profit decision 😡 12mo
jlhammar Yup, totally agree. I knew that they were all previously published when I bought it (mentioned it in my new acquisitions post last week), but I'm sure it will be a surprise/disappointment for many. On the other hand, I'm guessing there are a lot of people who have only read Small Things Like These and Foster so this will be all new for them. 12mo
Anna40 @jlhammar yes, you‘re right. Next time I‘ll check before I buy :) 12mo
24 likes4 comments
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jlhammar
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A few new acquisitions. Look forward to enjoying the Swanson and Hallett next month.

Hoping to start the Keegan ASAP. The title story was previously published in the New Yorker, but will be new to me. The second story was first published in her collection Walk The Blue Fields which I read years ago and loved. And the last is the title story from her collection Antarctica (own, but haven‘t read). Wish they were all new stories, but still excited!

JamieArc What a gorgeous trio 😍 12mo
LeahBergen So pretty! 12mo
Tamra So Late in the Day! 😍 Can‘t wait to see what you think. 12mo
See All 6 Comments
AnnR Looks like some great choices! 12mo
elkeOriginal Festive murders! Love these covers. 12mo
CaramelLunacy I'm looking forward to picking up the Christmas Appeal 12mo
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Bookbuyingaddict
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Mehso-so

I love keegans writing and Il always read whatever she produces . However not one of my favourites & at 11.99 for 47 pages !! Glad I got it from the library!

Tamra She has a new collection coming out this month I think - short, but longer than this one. 40+ pages standalone is too short! (edited) 12mo
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Twocougs
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Pickpick

The Irish groom, that lost his bride because of his chauvinist ways- Claire Keegan always writes a great story.

BarbaraBB A new Keegan? Wow! 14mo
Anna40 What? I thought this collection was coming out later this year! I read Late in the day in the New Yorker and it‘s brilliant! 14mo
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