This book is a collection of three short stories with a common theme of misogyny – So Late in the Day, The Long and Painful Death, and Antarctica. From my perspective, each story is more intense than the last one.
So Late in the Day
As an Irish author, Claire Keegan often sets her stories against an Irish backdrop, as she does beautifully in this book. Two of her three stories are set in Ireland.
Based in Dublin and Arklow, the first story is about the aftermath of a broken relationship between an avoidant, selfish, unremarkable man – Cathal, and a sweet, generous, lively woman – Sabine.
During the engagement, Sabine realizes what she is about to commit to and breaks off the engagement. The story is narrated from Cathal’s perspective, who, on his supposed wedding day, is having the cake and champagne alone in his apartment whilst rethinking their relationship and reflecting on his learnt misogyny, but is he realizing it?
His introspection involves his parsimonious attitude towards Sabine and his colleagues, his upbringing where men in the family disguise their contempt for women as harmless banter, and the vile language his friends use to describe women. The story ends on an unclear note, leaving the readers to guess if Cathal will ever confront his prejudices and make any attitudinal adjustments.
The Long and Painful Death
The second story is about a writer who seeks solitude for work and perhaps pleasure in the Heinrich Böll cottage on Achill Island, Ireland.
Soon after her arrival, she is interrupted by the imposing presence of a German professor who invites himself to the residence, enjoys her hospitality, and then tells her how offended he is by her presence and independence.
This story carries an undercurrent of male entitlement and status anxiety, and how threatened men retaliate by attempting to police women’s autonomy. I found the encounter both infuriating and pitiful. Infuriating because the writer makes an effort to make this uninvited guest feel welcome and nurtured, while all he could do was repay her hospitality with hostility. Pitiful because that insecure man deliberately took time out of his life to tell a woman who is living her life leisurely and purposefully that he despises her. The irony between the man’s entitlement and powerlessness is striking.
Antarctica
The third story is the most bone-chilling amongst the three. A married woman goes out of town for Christmas shopping for her family and wants to explore the idea of sleeping with another man before she gets too old.
She meets a charming stranger who wins her trust with his generosity. He offers her all the excitement she wants: a game of pool, a lottery ticket, a warm bath, a freshly cooked meal, television, and intimacy. His sinister intention is concealed beneath his caring and tender attitude, with the ultimate goal of controlling and capturing her in the most chilling way.
Ms. Keegan adds another unsettling layer to the story by leaving the woman unnamed, perhaps paying homage to countless women who continue to be lured into captivity.
Afterthought
Like so many women, I’ve felt misogyny from all sorts of people in all sorts of ways. I often ignore it because it’s too painful to be aware and easier to ignore and move on with my life’s purpose. But every once in a while it is important to look closely and understand these social dynamics to understand the world better.
Claire Keegan
I figuratively have been living under a rock and didn’t know about Ms. Keegan until my friend recommended I read So Late In The Day.
Raised in County Wicklow, Ireland, Claire Keegan is an accomplished author who earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a double major in English literature and political science from Loyola University New Orleans, an M.A. in the teaching and practice of Creative Writing at the University of Wales at Cardiff, and an M.Phil. from Trinity College, Dublin.
Miss Keegan has a talent for seeing what lies beneath the surface, nudging readers to look beyond appearances, and narrating stories vividly. She has won several literary awards and enjoys teaching. She is yet another Irish writer who has enchanted not just my heart, but a large audience worldwide.
Amongst many of her admirers is Dua Lipa, who interviewed her earlier in 2026 on her Service95 Book Club YouTube Channel. Despite the interesting conversation, Ms. Keegan’s dog managed to steal my heart!
During the interview, Ms. Keegan said something that resonates with me and explains why I feel especially drawn to fiction –
a story in a way of saying something which cannot be said in any other way
This interview can be a wonderful introduction to Claire Keegan and her literary works.
I welcome your reflections on this book or any stories this post might inspire. While I await your response, I hope you’re enjoying whatever you are reading <3
