Claire Keegans writing is phenomenal. So real that I often feel the emotions and moments that the characters are living. I like that these are short stories and it's easy to pick up and read one. *Spoiler note*. the last story in this book has a _very disturbing_ ending. Be forewarned if you're sensitive like me.

Honestly this collection of stories failed to do much for me, maybe it was just the fact that they were so short, but I found myself reading with an emotional detachment the entire time.

This collection felt more like a strain of consciousness on gender roles and marriage in our society, than stories of their own right. The observations were sharp although a little on the nose, and I struggled to connect to the story despite the fact that the prose was admirable.

Maybe it was the fact that the stories felt somewhat nihilistic in their tone, but overall this didn’t really leave much of an impression.

I'm a big fan of this author and as much as I enjoyed the prose, I couldn't say the same for the story. It was a bit too much on the nose for me and there wasn't enough meat to it to have left a real impression on me.

I will not review this on Instagram, because I have read and loved all her other work. I'm recommending Foster to so many people for years and I will continue to read her work. Maybe I found this a bit of an disappointment just because I like her other books so much.

So Late in The Day by Claire Keegan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This insightful, crisply written short story collection collection explores gender dynamics, expectations, and misogyny through the (seemingly) mundane. I found the first piece the most compelling, but was drawn into all three.

These stories, previously published, have been revised for this collection, out November 14, 2023.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this ARC. Opinions are my own.

“so much of life carrying smoothly on, despite the tangle of human upsets and the knowledge of how everything must end.”

From: So Late in the Day: stories of women and men by Claire Keegan

This is an amazing collection of three absorbing, humane short stories. Especially the first and the last left a lasting impression on me.

Keegan’s writing is so quiet, yet so crisp and on point. Never a word too much, but still so able to portray mood and the build up of tension and stress. It is unbelievable to me how quickly she can draw you into the lives and feelings of her characters.

A few themes that are worked out in these stories to perfection, in my opinion, is toxic masculinity and the effect that has on human relationships. And the way she can describe daily routine without it ever being boring is very interesting to me.

I took my time with these stories and re-read them several times and they kept revealing more to me. Before this I’ve only read Small Things Like These, which I thought was great, but this collection tops that experience for me and I cannot wait to pick up Foster now!

Thank you @groveatlantic and @netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this great book!

My favorite short story collection by Claire Keegan! Her prose is beautiful as usual, and I love how they subtly seem to connect.

Claire Keegan has the mastery of a good storyteller in that, with few words, she develops complex characters with great stories. These three stories are a good example of that.
I didn't know it, but it seems that these stories are not new, although they are revised. They follow the common thread of relationships between men and women, unfriendly relationships, that is.
I enjoyed all the stories, but, as a book, I didn't enjoy it. I was expecting at least one more story, and if it had been new, without having been published before, all the better.

Español: Claire Keegan tiene la maestría de las buenas cuentistas y es que, con pocas palabras, desarrolla personajes complejos con grandes historias. Estos tres relatos son buen ejemplo de ello.
Lo desconocía, pero parece ser que estas historias no son nuevas, aunque sí revisadas. Siguen el hilo conductor de las relaciones entre hombres y mujeres, relaciones poco amigables, eso sí.
He disfrutado todos los relatos, pero, como libro, me ha sabido a poco. Esperaba, al menos, otro relato más, y si hubiera sido nuevo, sin haberse publicado con anterioridad, mejor que mejor.

Clare Keegan is a powerhouse of a short story writer who turns everyday moments into beautiful rhapsodies. "So Late in the Day" showcases her talent in a trio of tales about gender dynamics in a trio of tales about expectations, obstacles and ill-fated endings. The eponymous story is about a man who reminiscing about actions that lead to a failed relationship. "The Long and Painful Death" deals tells of a writer in residence whose work is disrupted by the unwelcome presence of an opinionated man. And "Antarctica" follows a wife as she journeys to the big city to find out what it's like to sleep with another man. (Let's just say that one doesn't end well.) If you've never read Keegan, this collection is a great introduction.

Claire Keegan is best know in the U.S. for her two powerful novellas, Small Things Like These and Foster. This one is very different. Firstly, it's a collection of previously published short stories from earlier collections and secondly, there are no children to tear at our heartstrings. The stories are piercingly focused on misogyny, risk and inspiration. So Late In the Day tells the tale of an Irishman who is clueless as to why his fiance called off the wedding. In Long and Painful Death an oafish intruder disturbs a writer's private retreat and she gets her revenge. Antarctica is the chilling story of a wife and mother who wonders what it would be like to have sex with someone other than her husband. The reality is more than she expected.
Keegan's prose is spare yet it pulls readers into the lives of the protagonists and leaves them them wanting more.

I loved this collection of stories by Claire Keegan. I loved that I could set it down between stories and pick back up to something entirely different.

I’m unsettled! That’s the best way I can describe how I feel just after finishing this little collection. I loved it in a way…I loved Claire Keegan’s writing, of course. I knew I would. I can’t wait to read everything else she’s written. But short stories are so hard by nature of the fact that they are SHORT. I wanted more….but they really ended just where they should have.

The writing was so quiet and delicate, and I am a huge fan of intentional, delicate writing like this. You can feel the tension or emotions or discomfort build in that slow-burn way that messes with all the human feelings. And I don’t actually want to discuss or give away any themes because I think that’s unfair with short stories, but I appreciated reading this book right when I did.

I received this e-book through NetGalley but all opinions are my very own.

To call these "stories" is rather ambitious. While I enjoy a quick read every once in while (and this is truly a quick read) there was no substance in any of the 3 stories. There was nothing for the reader to truly connect to. I was a bit disappointed.

Quick and meaningful read. Made me realise that love of course is a two way street. Made me reflect on the love languages and how not everyone has the same perception of what love truly means. Would have loved to have found what the protagonist does going forwards! Claire Keegan has done it again 🙌🏻

I was going to start this review by pointing put that this is not a new Claire Keegan, merely stories that have been published elsewhere put into a new volume. All that is true however because I only started taking The New Yorker this year I had not read the title story. I'd read the other two but didn't recall The Long and Painful Death and Antarctica is most assuredly one of my favourite ever short stories. Add to that the fact that reading any Claire Keegan prose is always an utterly joyful experience (no matter how sad or creepy the story gets). Never a word that doesn't need to be there, never a clumsy phrase or a wander off point. She truly is a master of her craft.

I loved all these stories and despite So Late in the Day leaving me open mouthed, Antarctica remains my favourite. Beautiful. Highly recommended whether you've read these stories before or not.

Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Press for the advance review copy.

Only liked the first story, and that too, it was mediocre at best. The other two were not my taste at all. Sadly not the collection for me.

I absolutely loved Keegan’s two novellas, and the writing in this collection is exemplary. It’s amazing how she establishes character, setting, and tone so organically. However, I just need more length than the short story format offers.

Netgalley and the publisher provided this book for review consideration, but all opinions are my own.

So Late in the Day is a collection of three previously published short stories by Claire Keegan that examine the complicated gender dynamics between men and women. Keegan’s stories are quiet but build tension so seamlessly, that it’s no surprise that she’s lauded as a master of the form - I often compare her style to Chekhov. I love how she’s able to capture the Irish cadence in her dialogue. Despite its short length, this collection would be great for a book club to discuss.

Thanks to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy (Expected US Publication date November 14, 2023).

Those three short stories explore mysogyny in very different ways, the last one being utterly terrifying (I was not ready).
First time reading this author and I really liked her writing style !
I overall liked the stories but it felt a bit short to me to fully appreciate them. I will definitely look up Keegan's other works!

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!)

I honestly do not know how to make a decent review of a short book without saying too much, so bear with me if it comes out vague. 

So Late in the Day is a short story collection that consists of three tales about women dealing with men's shit. That's it: they're all about misogyny. 
I haven't heard of the author before, but her writing style piqued my interest enough that I want to pick up her famous book, "Small Things Like These." The stories in So Late in the Day were all brain dumps or just trails of thoughts about social politics and Irish men in general. 

Although I liked the ambiguity of each story, I think it'd be even better if they weren't disjointed. They could still stand on their own, but the connection with one another would've given me more impact on my part, if that makes any sense.

Being an avid lover of Claire Keegan’s style of writing already, I was excited to receive this copy of So Late in the day. Each story is deep and meaningful. Keegan conveys themes of misogyny, lust and desire subtly to her readers.

I can’t wait to see what Keegan will do next.