Foster: by the Booker-shortlisted author of Small Things Like These

It is a hot summer in rural Ireland. A child is taken by her father to live with relatives on a farm, not knowing when or if she will be brought home again.

Claire Keegan’s piercing contemporary classic Foster is a heartbreaking story of childhood, loss, and love; now released as a standalone book for the first time ever in the US

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Published Nov 1, 2022

90 pages

Average rating: 8.29

280 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
10/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com

What’s it about?

This short novel takes place in rural Ireland. The story opens as a father is taking his young daughter to stay with relatives for awhile. A new baby is due and one less child around will be helpful. In this new home the girl finds love and affection that are sorely missing at home.

What did it make me think about?

How fragile and yet resilient children are.

Should I read it?

Again- Claire Keegan writes so beautifully! I am not sure how she conveys so much in so few pages. This reads like a short story and it is just masterfully written. I will be reading anything else that Claire Keegan writes! Definitely pick this one up. A master class in writing.

Quote-

“I wonder why my father lies about the hay. He is given to lying about things that would be nice, if they were true.”

Mjk
Mar 28, 2023
7/10 stars
Beautiful short and sweet amongst tragedy and poverty stricken families.
AR74
Jul 20, 2025
5/10 stars
Not for me.
Gram Judy
Jun 24, 2025
8/10 stars
A charming, touching short novel of an Irish girl’s summer visit with relatives whose love and care is unlike anything she has ever received in her own home.
Cobbie
Apr 19, 2025
10/10 stars
A bit like Anne Green Gables in Ireland I loved every bit of it

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