Claire Keegan knocks it out of the park with these three stories. She quickly ranks up there with Alice Munro as my favourite short story writer. All three stories are about life between men and women. At points, all the stories are raw and hard-hitting but not in a showy way. It's just told in that Keegan way she has - calmly telling you something devastating. I loved each of them.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the title story "So Late in the Day" in this collection. In this one, our narrator Cathal had an opportunity to get married, but his behavior toward his betrothed alienated her before the wedding. Memo to self: try to be the opposite of Cathal.

The second story "The Long and Painful Death" had a great setting. I wasn't a fan of the story, particularly toward the second half.

"Antarctica," the final story, I could see be polarizing with readers. A wife sets out to cheat with a random person, and then she gets more than she bargained for. I actually enjoyed it, but not to the degree that I liked the first story.

There was an "incel" vibe to this entire collection, which I wasn't expecting at ALL. I haven't read much by Keegan, but I think I had stereotyped her as a quaint Irish writer. This is definitely a departure from that stereotype. I didn't mind that vibe, but it could rub some readers the wrong way.

I was bowled over by Irish writer Claire Keegan's 2022 long 'short' story Foster. Yes that's what it is. So is Small Things Like These. Keegan published Antarctica, a collection of 16 short 'short' stories and Walk the Blue Fields, 7 stories, both in 2016. Her voice is distinctive as if the stories are being told aloud. I have been attempting to ration them out so as not to be without another story to look forward to. By all means buy this book and share with friends.

Who is Claire Keegan and where did she come from? So Late In The Day is a small collection of 3 short stories, each about some aspect of the interactions and dynamics between a man and a woman. She doesn't pander to her audience, the mind pieces together the unsaid in a way that feels natural and real. The stories are stark reminders that we are all playing a role, hiding our real selves from others. My only complaint is that there weren't more stories in the book. I have already added 2 of her books to my tbr.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Claire Keegan is deservedly having a moment right now, and while I’ve enjoyed joining others in reading her recent novellas, I found this collection of three of Keegan’s short stories to be even more powerful. Each of the stories in So Late in the Day concerns the relationships between men and women; and while the men presented here are all kind of awful, the women find ways to empower themselves (even if they must then live with the consequences.) From the sentences to the story arcs to the satisfying endings, I loved everything about these stories.

Three brilliant stories by Claire Keegan. Subtle and confronting exploration of gender politics that mean that these stories will never leave you. Whether it is to do with penny pinching meanness of a man too long alone or of the rights to intrusion in an artist’s residency or simply a woman’s search for liberation just for a night. There is a deep meaning behind the simple actions in these stories, which is, of course, the genius of Claire Keegan. She explores the seemingly ordinary lives of these people to brilliantly demanding conclusions. Thanks to @netgalley for the chance to review this prior to publication and to Grove Atlantic press for publishing Claire Keegan.

I’m… I almost don’t know what to say? This book was thought provoking but the writing itself was so idyllic and simple so that you’re not even processing it, you’re just soaking the storytelling in, and then BOOM the book is over and you’re just left with these thoughts.

Keegan’s prose is so captivating in its simplicity. She is prompt and elegant. “So Late in the Day” and “Antarctica” were great, I didn’t love the second one “The Long and Painful Death” but I liked the linking of all three for thematic reasons and can see how they fall under the same umbrella.

I feel like this short story collection addressed the societal problem of misogyny head on without any excuse or delay. There’s some tension built up at the beginning of each story (there are three within this book) that slowly ebbs up on you - there’s a gracefulness in Keegan’s directness.

Thank you much to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC in exchange for my honest option.

Powerful new stories from Claire Keegan. These were a little devastating, which is high praise. I'll read anything she writes.

More great short stories from Clair Keegan. These 3 stories examine women and their relationships with the men around them.

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy of this ARC..
This short book consists in a collection of three short stories that were already published, it is not the first book i read by Keegan but I always find myself in being fascinated by her writing even when the stories revolve around very (almost painfully) ordinary people like the ones in this book. The characters might be ordinary but the topics are not, or better they're treated like that even if they shouldn't be and these three short stories shine a light upon them.

Beautiful, lyrical writing. However, I didn't enjoy the content as much as I have in her other works.

So Late in the Day is Claire Keegan at her best, delivering incisive, brutally honest stories in fewer words than one can imagine possible. All three unconnected short stories tell tales of marriage, betrayal and misogyny. You'll be on the edge of your seat throughout; the true female experience. 4.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

It's a collection of three short stories, based on the relationship between a man and a woman. The first one is the title story, about a couple who decides to get married, and then expectations might compel them to rethink.

The second one is about a writer who visits a retreat for two weeks to find inspiration and write peacefully.

And the third one is about a married woman and a mother, too, who decides to have some fun, to find out how it feels to sleep with another man. She travels to some place without telling anything about her whereabouts to her husband.

The stories are well written, however the first two stories do not have any structure. They seem like descriptive monologues, which were not very captivating, in my opinion. The third story was very intriguing and interesting, with a striking ending.

Overall, a nice and quick read. You can finish in a single sitting.

"So Late in the Day" is a compilation of3 short stories by the Brooker Prize Finalist author Claire Keegan. Each of these stories shed light on a different aspect of gender dynamics and male-female relationships; from misogyny, betrayal to lust. I'm usually not a fan of short stories since I find that there is not enough character development to keep me engaged, however these stories were a breath of fresh air. Through each story the reader is able to get a glimpse into the mind of the narrator and Claire Keegan adeptly provides insight their her beautiful yet deliberate prose. The last story "Antarctica" was definitely my favourite however all deserve a read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and the author for providing me with a digital arc in return for an honest review. "So Late in the Day" comes out November 14th!

Keegan’s words strike bone in her intimate portraits of men and women from So Late in the Day. We think we can anticipate each ebb and flow of her quiet stories until her characters crack, fraught with frustrations that have slowly drowned them. Keegan can paint a scene that wrenches nostalgia from our hearts while a fly buzzes incessantly in our ears.

We want so much to believe men are better and that women have any power other than their threat to leave. Her language paralyzes us unsuspecting readers, like the frog who unknowingly stays in the boiling water. So we, too, stay with her stories and seek to make amends with our discontent.

Absolutely loved this collection of short stories, connected by themes. Beautifully descriptive. My only criticism is that it was too short. Will be keeping an eye out for this author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Claire Keegan dominates the short story in "So Lat in the Day". Three stories centered around a woman and a relationship in her life with some psychological aspect. Written with dark and vulnerable themes, Keegan calmly shocks readers.

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This was the first time I read Keegan's work and I am so glad i did. She is beautiful writer of fiction and a master of the short story. I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy literary fiction, women's fiction, psychological fiction, and readers who want a quick yet rewarding read. A book that you don't want to put down, and when you do you'll be wishing it was longer.

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A big thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic (Grove Press) for providing readers with such a rewarding book.

Another Claire Keegan read that has left a powerful punch. Her writing is beautiful, evocative and her characters and social observances/criticisms are spot on.

I loved this collection of 3 Short’s stories about men and women and how they interact and communicate. Although each one is only about 50 pages long, the character development in those pages is incredible. I found myself thinking about these stories for days after reading them! Keegan is a genius!

“Down on the lawns, some people were out sunbathing and there were children, and beds plump with flowers; so much of life carrying smoothly on, despite the tangle of human upsets and the knowledge of how everything must end.”

Another short and stunning book from Claire Keegan. If like me you loved Foster and Small Things Like These, So Late in the Day comes out on November 14th.

Structured a bit differently than the first two, this book is not a novella but rather a collection of three short stories:

So Late in the Day, about a couple about to get married.

The Long and Painful Death, about a writer who goes on a solo writing retreat at the home of the German author Heinrich Böll, and is inspired to write after a strange visit from a retired professor.

Antarctica, about a married woman who wonders what she might be missing and the consequences when she goes looking….

I liked each story and I read the collection in one sitting. Keegan has a unique talent for writing shorter stories. Antarctica was disturbing and my least favorite of the three but I’m still glad I read the collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.