Furlong is my new Irish hero. I greatly appreciated the supplemental information the author included in "A Note on the Text" as well. ( )

Such a simple story—but such a necessary story, especially at this time of year because: “Always, Christmas brought out the best and the worst in people” (96).

In this quietly beautiful winter’s tale, we’re reminded of the darkness of complicity and indifference and how easy it is to look the other way, not getting involved; how easy it is to focus on the mechanical parts of life, forgetting what really matters; and how easy it is to give into fear, avoiding doing what’s right. Through Furlong’s simple introspection—“watching the river flowing darkly along, drinking the snow”—we’re reminded that, no matter how small, kindness towards one another is what really matters, what brings purpose and joy and peace and light (100). ( )

Novella about a man who grew up the son of an unwed mother in 1940s Ireland. Mainly concerning his inner life as he goes about the daily grind of life, and how something in him changes after some chance encounters at the local nunnery (aka Magdalen Laundry). This one was not for me. The writing was fine, and the topic something I feel strongly about, but I didn’t enjoy this nor did it elicit any strong feelings in me. Found it vaguely tedious. ( )

This novella is wonderful in conjuring up small town life in Ireland - and family life too: though the time portrayed seems rather earlier than the 1980s in which the book is allegedly set. Bill Keegan is married, the father of 5 girls, and a successful coal merchant. He was also illegitimate, and extremely unusual in that his mother was able to keep him and bring him up, thanks to the generosity of her wealthy employer. In the same town there is a convent, a convent where 'common, unmarried girls' can go to have, and then relinquish their babies. And delivering there one day, Furlong discovers a young woman in distress, longing to see her baby. Will he act on what he sees? Furlong is a nuanced, rounded character, conflicted, and just a bit different from his fellows because of his upbringing, though he's also a largely happy family man, deeply proud of his daughters. This book explores the conflicted feelings he wrestles with one Christmas. It was written in response to the public outcry about the Magdalen laundries, where the Catholic church - and the state - had young pregnant girls incarcerated during 18th to 20th centuries. ( )

One could argue endlessly whether this is a novel, novella, or very long short story (such as The Dead) but I suppose it hardly matters -- a man, Bill Furlong, himself born to an unwed mother in a time when it really was a problem, had the good fortune that his mother's employer, a Protestant and a widow living just outside the small town on a small farm, did not send her off, but kept her and raised the boy responsibly, not as her own, but in a kindly way. He has made a success of his life running a coal business, but he has four daughters and times are hard; people need coal but often cannot keep up with their bills and he rarely cuts a person off entirely. On a snowy winter's day, just before Christmas he is making a delivery to the convent, which looms over the town in every way, spiritually and politically. Everyone (who pays attention) knows that the convent takes in girls 'in trouble', but no one has any idea what goes on inside. Everyone knows they do laundry, but again, no one knows the circumstances. Once their time there is finished, the girls are sent far away, no one actually witnesses anything, and nothing concrete is known but to a few (say a local doctor and such). No one says anything, out of fear of the power of the church. On this day Furlong discovers a young girl, barely clothed, hiding in the shed where he delivers the coal. Or is she hiding? Has she been put there?
He must struggle with his conscience. I could cite various short stories Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" -- that being a story all about what isn't being said -- and "The Dead" with its careful and exact prose as the narrator attempts to remain in control of his emotions only revealing the depth of his feelings through what he does and what he notices (what Keegan has him notice, of course). It is a meticulously crafted story as well as moving as Furlong comes to a decision about whether to act or not. The external consequences will be severe if he does act, but the price internally will be equally devastating. I'm currently also reading We Don't Know Ourselves -- a 'personal' history of modern Ireland and the two resonate. ****1/2 ( )