Foster, by Claire Keegan
After I read a book, I like to watch videos with the author or people discussing the title. Virginia Evans, author of The Coorespondent, was on Good Morning America, and they asked her about her favorite book. It is Foster, by Claire Keegan.
Since I enjoyed The Correspondent so much, it was obvious I needed to read Foster.
I’ve never experienced a protagonist who is not called by name in a book. Funny, after reading it, I was leafing back through, and finally realized she was nameless.
She is a girl who lives in Ireland with her large, financially-strapped, and seemingly neglectful family. During the summer of 1981, her mother and father sent her to live with unknown relatives on their nearby rural farm.
Should you read it?….YES!
It’s such a sweet story and probably the shortest book I’ve ever read, at about 96 pages, depending on the publisher and the edition you pick up. Technically, a short story is called a novella. I suppose I do remember that term from freshman literacy class.
It’s very heartwarming, and the story has a lot of depth. It explores the meaning of family, the gift of an open heart, and kindness.
A little about the author, Claire Keegan. She was born in 1968 and is the youngest of 6 children. She grew up on a small farm in Wicklow, Ireland, with no running water.
Traveling to the United States at 17, she studied English and political science at Loyola University. When she returned to Europe in 1992, she received her MA at the University of Wales, where she later taught. She also earned a Master’s of Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin. Impressive!
I didn’t know anything about this book except its recommendation by Virginia Evans and the title. I am so glad I picked it up! I hope you enjoy it as I did. Remember..books are very objective.
