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So Late in the Day

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So Late in the Day

By: Claire Keegan
Narrated by: Claire Keegan
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About this listen

An exquisite new short story from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Small Things Like These and Foster.

'A genuine once-in-a-generation writer.' The Times

After an uneventful Friday at the Dublin office, Cathal faces into the long weekend and takes the bus home. There, his mind agitates over a woman named Sabine with whom he could have spent his life, had he acted differently. All evening, with only the television and a bottle of champagne for company, thoughts of this woman and others intrude - and the true significance of this particular date is revealed.

From one of the finest writers working today, Keegan's new story asks if a lack of generosity might ruin what could be between men and women. Is it possible to love without sharing?

'Every word is the right word in the right place, and the effect is resonant and deeply moving.' Hilary Mantel

'Claire Keegan makes her moments real - and then she makes them matter.' Colm Tóibín

©2023 Claire Keegan (P)2023 Faber & Faber Genre Fiction Psychological Fiction
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Claire Keegan is a remarkable writer. Her ability to focus on the ordinary details of life is powerful and her use of succinct language is masterful. I loved the slow reveal of this story about the consequences of a man’s choices. A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

A brillant short story

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Read by the author in her soft Irish accent this book is beautiful written and tells a sharp story with effective prose.

Short but brilliant.

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I will declare my card as a Keegan fan. This story is deceptive- short in words, big in the punch. The story hinges on one of the central character’s inability to grasp the impact of his father’s values on his identity as a man and would be husband. A love story that sours before it finishes. Keegan’s typical sparse prose and beautifully captured characters. Imperfect, grappling but striving to live their best lives.

Stories of ordinary people told was love and honesty

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Short and perfectly formed examination of gender politics wrapped in beautifully expressed prose. Loved it

A perfect gem

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This is a subtle examination of a relationship which has at its heart a selfish badly brought up man . Beautifully written and read . LOVE Claire Keegan . Highly recommend.

Perfect short story

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I love Claire Keegan’s work. There is never a word out of place. She enunciates day to day human truths and I am so grateful for her stories.

Perfect story, beautifully told.

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I don’t understand the hype of this book.

Whilst yes, I did enjoy the enunciation and descriptions of the smaller things in life; I could relate to the long-winded explanations of such simple tasks in life as I do this myself. My inner monologue is exactly like this so it was refreshing to see such accurate depictions in a book. However, I do also agree with others that it was very monotonous and a little boring/agitating. Nothing really happens. There’s no real excitement. It’s just a short novella about a misogynistic man who takes advantage of his fiancés generosity and loses his wife and marriage due to his weaponised incompetence. A very short and simple book, that I unfortunately wasted an audible credit on to read for book club.

Tw: misogynistic man weaponising incompetence; very monotonous and boring

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Very disappointing. No real story of interest. And read in a very flat depressed tone. Don’t know where the high ratings came from for this.

So late in the day

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Wasn’t exactly what I was in the mood for. Short but certainly well written and the accent of narrator was lilting

Quite depressing

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