What Are We Reading: "Small Things" & "Lonesome Dove"

By Ross Holzschuh
Fourth Grade Teacher

I've been reading all sorts of stories and novellas by Claire Keegan. The one I think is most worth recommending is Small Things Like These.

Small Things Like These is sparsely written but perfectly observed. The simplicity of the prose allows for the nooks and crannies of the rich, sensory world and deep moral quandaries to breathe. It's a delicate story that questions what standards we hold and how life can take shape based on tiny actions and inactions. Keegan's story is steeped in Irish culture with a nuanced exploration of the power dynamics of the class system and religion. Even with flashbacks that recall Great Expectations, it's a clever piece that never draws attention to its construction and thematic resonances.

I'm also reading Lonesome Dove. Lonesome Dove is somehow verbose and laid back with its long-winded, hyper-detailed narration never feeling ornate. Larry McMurtry's sensitivity and humor are present in all of his stories, ranging from Terms of Endearment to The Last Picture Show, but I think it's Lonesome Dove where his empathy for his characters shines the brightest.

The world of the book is a harsh one, but behind every dusty stampede and venomous snake bite is a tender laugh or a deeper connection to the world and each character's place in it.

I can't stand horses and I'm not much for camping, but Lonesome Dove makes it all so romantic that I can't help getting caught up in the grandeur of it all. Having said that, McMurtry is no stranger to challenging the issues of an expanding America and the injustices that came with it.