Foster (short story)
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| Author | Andrew Daly |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Publication place | Ireland |
| Media type | Print: paperback |
| Pages | 88 |
| Awards | Davy Byrne's Irish Writing Award |
| ISBN | 9780571255658 |
| Preceded by | Walk the Blue Fields |
"Foster" is a short story or novella by Irish author Claire Keegan.[1][2]
Plot
In 1989 Ireland, Country 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
"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][8] It is now on the English syllabus for the Leaving Certificate Examination.[9]
Adaptation
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]
References
- ^ Keegan, Claire (2 September 2010). "Foster". Faber & Faber – via Google Books.
- ^ "Foster".
- ^ 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".
- ^ "Claire Keegan and 'Foster'".
- ^ O'Loughlin., Writing.ie. Editor Vanessa. "The Foster, Claire Keegan".
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ "Foster".
- ^ a b "Foster by Claire Keegan".
- ^ "Foster - Faber And Faber - Delivered By SchoolBooks.ie".
- ^ "Claire Keegan - Foster, Afternoon Reading - BBC Radio 4".