This book was not at all what I expected. I did not read any reviews, blurbs, or background information beforehand. I went in completely blind, and I still liked it very much. I had heard some people talk about it on Booktube, and since I enjoyed “Small Things Like These”, I ordered Claire Keegan’s other books as well.

„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 might 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.“

Blurb

The writing is beautiful and strong, or rather sharp at the same time. You get the sense that every single word is carefully chosen, not simply written down. Nothing feels accidental. The portrayal of men in this book is almost the exact opposite of the men in “Small Things Like These”, which surprised me in a very deliberate and effective way.

I also did not know that the book had previously been published in French under the title “Misogynie”. After finishing the story, that title makes perfect sense.

The main character is deeply unlikeable, especially when you consider that he is a man who would exist after 2017, or even before that. At first, he may seem clumsy or awkward at best, but this quickly reveals itself as the most common excuse men use. In reality, he is completely unreflective, emotionally careless, and indifferent to the feelings of others, particularly women and most of all his wife.

I genuinely hated him. I felt angry while reading, truly angry. If he were my friend today, I would want to slap him across the face and hope he finally learned some manners. I think that is a sign of a good book, when it makes you feel such strong emotions, when you can feel anger rising and even feel the urge to throw the book against the nearest wall.

It was not quite as good as “Small Things Like These”, but it was still a brilliant read and easily deserves four stars, maybe even four and a half.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️