Oprah Winfrey Chats With Book Club Author Claire Keegan On Misogyny and Healing inSmall Things Like These

Mar. 15, 2025

Oprah Winfrey (left) and Claire Keegan.Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; David Levenson/Getty

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; David Levenson/Getty

Grove Press

“I wasn’t able to not ask the question while I was writing,” Keegan added. “Really, I think the book is a response to my asking the question.”

The episode also featured guest Maureen Sullivan, who was sent to the Magdalene laundries when she was 12 years old after telling a teacher that her stepfather physically and sexually abused her. Sullivan published her memoir about her experiences in 2023, titledGirl in the Tunnel, and Keegan spoke to her feelings about her own novel empowering women to step forward.“I’m just delighted to have had the opportunity to write the book and be heard and to say something about misogynistic Ireland,” Keegan said. “Because one of the things I know about the misogynist is that he wants to shut you up. Verbally and physically.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“In Maureen’s case, obviously, she was incarcerated,” Keegan added. “So it was lovely to be able to come out the far side of that, and use my voice and use my power to be able to say something.”

Claire Keegan in 2024.Ulrich Perrey/picture alliance via Getty

Ulrich Perrey/picture alliance via Getty

“I think reading a book is a really personal thing,” the author said. “Whatever you take away from it is alright … Maybe there were cleverer ways to get done what he got done. Maybe it’s a story about love. Maybe it’s a story about a marriage falling apart. Maybe it’s a story about a man breaking down.”“Whatever it is, is alright, because I think your response to a book is deeply personal and shouldn’t be interfered with,” Keegan added. “I think the reader completes the book.”

source: people.com