Set in 1980s Wexford, Ireland, Claire Keegan’s novella tells the story of an unnamed girl who, neglected by her relatives, briefly blossoms in the affection of an adopted family. The work is characterized by a sparse style, an abbreviated length, and a powerful exploration of alienation and belonging.

 Leigh E. Rich is a professor in GSU’s Department of Health Sciences and one of the founding instructors of the Friday Reading Forum. She hosted the radio program Listening to Literature and was awarded the 2026 Literary Good Citizen award by Seersucker Live. Roger Smith’s first post-university career was teaching literature to eleventh-graders, which he did for a decade. Susan K. Weston is a retired attorney and avid reader who has been involved in the Friday Reading Forum since its inception.