Key points:
I’m not usually a huge fan of short stories but Claire Keegan has a way of writing short stories with big heart.
There’s a gentleness woven through every scene — as though the author invites you, the reader, to be part of that safe space too.
My daughters insisted I read ‘Foster’. They had read it, loved it, and wanted me to experience it for myself. I’m so glad I did.
I’m not usually a huge fan of short stories but Claire Keegan has a way of writing short stories with big heart.
From the first page, Claire Keegan’s writing pulled me into a quiet, rural Irish summer and into the life of a young girl sent to live with relatives she’s never met. It’s such a short book — I read it in an evening — but in those pages, I found myself both comforted and concerned. Comforted because I could see her finding a safe place. Concerned because I kept wondering: how long will she be able to stay?
I’m not usually a huge fan of short stories but Claire Keegan has a way of writing short stories with big heart.
John and Edna, the couple who take her in, stood out to me from the moment they appeared. Their kindness is not loud or flashy — it’s steady, practical, and completely open-hearted. They obviously have some pain of their own but they never allow it to come between them and their tiny, unnamed friend.
In their home, the young girl discovers what it means to be truly seen and valued. The contrast between this life and the one she left behind is understated but deeply felt.
The strongest theme for me was the power of creating a place of belonging for someone who is completely new. In John and Edna’s home, the girl experiences not just shelter but acceptance. And that acceptance transforms her.
There’s a gentleness woven through every scene — as though the author invites you, the reader, to be part of that safe space too.
The book’s depiction of care and safety was so beautiful that I felt a tangible safety while reading it. There’s a gentleness woven through every scene — as though the author invites you, the reader, to be part of that safe space too.
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Claire Keegan’s writing style is deceptively simple, which makes the emotional impact even stronger. She leaves space for the reader to feel and reflect without spelling everything out. The young narrator’s voice felt realistic, honest, and believable — the kind of storytelling where you forget there’s an author at all and see through the character’s eyes.
I give ‘Foster’ 4 stars out of 5.
There’s one scene right at the very end that has stayed with me. I won’t spoil it here, but it’s a moment that lingers, a mix of heartbreak and hope that makes you close the book slowly and sit with it for a while.
It’s short enough to read in one sitting, yet rich enough to stay with you for a long time. I would recommend ‘Foster’ to anyone who loves gentle, hope-filled stories.
I give ‘Foster’ 4 stars out of 5.
Feature image: Allen and Unwin