Foster (short story)
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| Author | Claire Keegan |
|---|---|
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Genre | short story/novella |
| Set in | County Wexford, summer 1981 |
| Publisher | The New Yorker (short version) Faber and Faber |
Publication date | 10 February 2010 (short) September 2010 |
| Media type | Print: paperback |
| Pages | 88 |
| Awards | Davy Byrne's Irish Writing Award |
| ISBN | 9780571255658 |
| OCLC | 502415194 |
| Preceded by | Walk the Blue Fields |
"Foster" is a short story or novella by Irish author Claire Keegan.[1][2]
Plot[edit]
In 1981 Ireland, County Wexford, a girl is sent to live with foster parents on a farm, while her mother gives birth. She has no notion of when she will return home. In the strangers' house she finds affection she has not known before, and slowly she begins to blossom in their care. But when a secret is suddenly revealed, she realizes how fragile her idyll is.[3]
Reception[edit]
"Foster" has received a very positive reception, winning the 2009 Davy Byrne's Irish Writing Award (it was submitted for the award prior to publication).[4][5][6][7] The Daily Telegraph compared it to the work of Seamus Heaney and William Trevor, while The Observer called it "Among the finest stories written recently in English."[8] Recognition of the literary merit of Foster was reflected in its inclusion as a text prescribed for comparative study by the Department of Education and Training (An Roinn Oideachais agus Scoileanna) for the syllabus of the English Leaving Certificate examination in Ireland. [9]
Adaptation[edit]
An audio version of "Foster" was broadcast on BBC Radio 4's "Afternoon Reading" on 9 March 2015, read by Irish actress Evanna Lynch.[10]
In 2022, a film version was released in the Irish language: An Cailín Ciúin, starring Catherine Clinch and Carrie Crowley.[11] In 2023, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
References[edit]
- ^ Keegan, Claire (2 September 2010). Foster. Faber & Faber. ISBN 9780571255665 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Foster". The New Yorker.
- ^ O'Hagan, Sean (4 September 2010). "Claire Keegan: 'Short stories are limited. I'm cornered into writing what I can'" – via The Guardian.
- ^ "Writer Claire Keegan wins €25,000 Davy Byrnes award". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Claire Keegan and 'Foster'".
- ^ Ryan, Bobbie. O'Loughlin, Vanessa (ed.). "The Foster, Claire Keegan". Writing.ie.
- ^ "Foster".
- ^ "Foster by Claire Keegan".
- ^ "Prescribed Material for English in the Leaving Certificate Examination in 2015, An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna" (PDF).
- ^ "Claire Keegan - Foster, Afternoon Reading - BBC Radio 4".
- ^ "Fanacht | Screen Ireland". www.screenireland.ie.