Foster 🤍

By Claire Keegan.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Many's the man lost much just because he missed a perfect opportunity to say nothing.”

Foster by Claire Keegan is a poignant and beautifully crafted book that leaves an indelible mark on the reader long after the final page.

In just a few short chapters, Keegan masterfully creates a world brimming with emotional depth, subtlety, and insight. The book is a quiet exploration of family, belonging, and the complexities of childhood, all seen through the eyes of an unnamed young girl.

At its core, Foster is a simple enough story: a young girl is sent to live with distant relatives for a summer while her mother is pregnant with yet another child. The short time together builds a deep emotional resonance in the lives of the girl and the Kinsellas who take her in. While it is a tight and succinct book, Keegan’s portrayal of the Irish landscape is vivid, and she has an extraordinary ear for dialogue that brings the story to life.

What truly sets Keegan apart as a writer is her exceptional ability to capture fleeting moments, distilling them into stories that resonate deeply with the reader. Her talent for creating rich snippets of life, where every word and gesture holds weight, is evident in Foster. The brevity of the story, which focuses on a brief summer spent with relatives, feels almost like a snapshot—a glimpse into a pivotal moment in a young girl’s life. Keegan’s writing is delicate but powerful, and she leaves you with the impression that you have just witnessed something fleeting, yet profoundly impactful.

By the time the book concludes, I was desperate for more. Keegan’s ability to draw you in with such a simple yet captivating tale is a testament to her gift for writing. Every word feels significant, and the sense of longing lingers, making it impossible to let go of the characters and their world. I could easily have read a hundred more pages, desperate to know what happens next.

This is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, with a yearning for more. It is a quiet masterpiece that I wholeheartedly recommend.

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