21st Century Literature discussion

Gosh, how did it get to be December?

We have a very small book, physically speaking, to discuss this month. The hardcover edition sitting in front of me is 118 pages long in a book that is only 7.5 x 5.5 inches. The type is double-spaced and of good size. There has been a lot of discussion as to whether this is a novel or a novella, but it seems the Booker Prize considered it a novel when it longlisted and then shortlisted it for the 2022 prize.

In addition to being shortlisted for the 2022 Booker prize, it was shortlisted for the 2022 Rathbones Folio Prize and won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction in 2022.

Some reviews from the usual suspects are:
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/106578...
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
https://harvardreview.org/book-review...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/bo...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...

And a few interviews --
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips...
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...

Who will be joining us for this read?

I'm in, two chapters, actually (though that's not hard with this story). There's a whiff of A Child's Christmas in Wales (hot! hot!) and a sense of dread for Furlong to find himself in this story.

Och! A Baby Power is a miniature Power's whiskey. Thank you Google. (ch. 3)

Mark wrote: "Och! A Baby Power is a miniature Power's whiskey. Thank you Google. (ch. 3)"

I had to google that one, too, a definite "WTF?" moment.

Read this a couple months ago, so will try to chime in based on how dependable my memory and notes are.

Anyone interested in the Magdalene laundries, my introduction was Peter Mullan's excellent 2003 film "The Magdalene Sisters". While it's fictionalized, it's based on the testimony of women who were sent to the laundries. I remember most of the movie vividly, despite having seen it almost 20 years ago.

Mark, Whitney, and Marc welcome. I am rereading as I read it when it first came and when I listened to some of the interviews today, I realized I had forgotten (or missed) a few things. I think knowing what was happening in the Magdalene laundries is important to appreciating the book.

Historically The Magdalene Laundries are a point of importance. In terms of the novella, I thought that the ethical dilemma and role of the Church was well framed without any historical context. Keegan frames the story very skillfully.

Daniel, Glad you are joining us. How did you decide on nowella?

Hi Linda.. I am not sure I understand the question. If you are asking why I termed this a novella it is because of its length.. less than a full blown novel, more than a short story.I read and reviewed this gem last year and remember it vividly. It was one of my favorites.

It's unsettling to read a story that feels like "long ago and far away," knowing that I was across an ocean at the time, laughing at Wierd Al Jankovik. Sigh.

I read this last month and loved it so much that I read Claire Keegan’s Foster and a short story collection as well. Wonder writer.

I too was impressed by the author and read Foster. This is the best Christmas story ( if it can be called that) I have read. I didn’t expect the ending and the end was beautiful. I am glad that there was an after note explaining about the Magdalene Laundry institution as I knew nothing about them.

I both read and listened to this last December and loved it. I will listen again soon and look forward to the discussion. Thanks Linda for posting the reviews and interviews. I’m sure I missed things as well even though experiencing it twice. Such a compelling story. Keegan leaves the reader imagining how things will play out.

I thought the lack of resolution at story end gave the book its emotional heft.

I read it last year and loved it. There is a Christmas story feel to it with the kindness of the heart in the face of prejudices. I look forward to the discussion.

(view spoiler)[I am glad the "Christmas story," element to this piece has been introduced and also the ambiguity of the ending which leaves us readers to our imaginings. The first point leads us to consider the irony Keegan has invoked here with her Christmas story actually featuring the Magdalene sisters as potential villians. The second point involves the ambiguity of Bill's motivations and the immediate or long future consequent of his "rescue." I like how Keegan while not suggesting Bill's motivations are questionable, gives the reader time to question them as Bill pauses to consider consequences of his actions before he commits. Is he altruistic and noble or acting idealistic and selfishly? Is he a saviour or wannabe knight in shining armor? And what of the result? I think Keegan does hint that Bill's actions would not be wholeheartedly supported by the family once he returns home. And even if they were, for how long would the support last realistically after a reaction from the neighbors and community? I agree Keegan leaves the reader with much to consider which gives the story the layered depth to remain in our thoughts after we have finished reading. (hide spoiler)]

It seems my response to Daniel is still floating around cyberspace (so much harder to comment using iPhone!). Daniel, you answered my question despite my misspelling of novella. This book has been discussed a fair amount in connection to whether it is a novella or novel. I ambivalent on the question by self but find the discussion of how what decides interesting.

I also responded to Mark in that wayward comment that is lurking somewhere in cyberspace -- it is hard to accept that in 1985 the Magdalen laundries were still in existence, but the Roman Catholic Church was still covering up another equally disturbing practice at the same time.

Welcome Teresa, Nidhi, Suzy, Vesna, and Sam - glad you are joining in. Sam, very good questions in your spoiler alert. I will be opening to the whole book, spoil away thread shortly and those questions will provide fodder for discussion.

I am glad you responded, Linda.. The misspelling did not confuse me. Sometimes I bandy around terms( novel, novella, short story, essay) indiscriminately so I wondered if that what you wanted me to clarify.