So Late in the Day, a short story to savour, is the fourth novel and latest accomplishment of Irish author Claire Keegan. Keegan has undoubtedly become an established and prominent figure within Irish literature within the past two years. Her short story Foster was transformed into the academy award-winning film Án Cailín Ciún (The Quiet Girl) and her previous release was the evocative and captivating short novel Small Things Like These, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Rathbones Folio Prize and is currently being adapted into a film starring Cillian Murphy. With a quickly growing fanbase behind her, it should come as no surprise that this has become her most highly anticipated release.
On the day of the book’s release, I was somewhat sceptical when I was met with a miniature hardback, painted with pale and striking blues. While Keegan has demonstrated her expertise and skill within the short form, I could not help but think that maybe this was too short. With that being said, I was curious to see Keegan’s portrayal of a complex and dysfunctional relationship in just forty-seven pages.
The date is Friday the 29th of July, after an uneventful workday Cathal now faces the long weekend. He is unable to enjoy his weekend as his thoughts are consumed by Sabine, a woman he could have spent the rest of his life with had he behaved differently. With only the television and a bottle of champagne for company, his intrusive thoughts reveal the true significance of this date.
At only forty-seven pages, Keegan manages to observe and discuss the subtle dynamics of men and women, offering a concise but thorough exploration of human vulnerability. Cathal’s contemplation of his relationship with his French partner aids Keegan in exploring themes such as intolerance and misogyny. Our introduction to Cathal consists of him writing rejection letters in his place of work, illustrating his detachment and distance from both the world and himself. We see him become displeased and agitated as he is forced to sit next to an overweight woman and pressured to engage in awkward small talk. This interaction provokes key memories of Sabine to emerge, highlighting Cathal’s selfishness and misogyny in the process. With Keegan’s direct and transparent prose, she succeeds in developing a character whose ignorance of reality and lack of self-awareness are both incredibly vexing yet remarkably realistic.
Although I read this book in about twenty minutes, it certainly left a lasting impact. I, like Cathal, found myself ruminating on the thought of what could have been. The character of Cathal left me baffled yet perplexed. While there are times when remorse or self-awareness threaten to pierce his armour, he ultimately resists and reverts to his destructive self. Keegan has once again offered an insightful yet alarming perspective on sensitive topics such as misogyny and internalised toxic masculinity. Keegan has produced another powerful and impactful piece of literature, with the short format becoming Keegan’s distinguishing feature I look forward to seeing how she will experiment with it in the future.
So Late in the Day is now currently available at bookretailers.
