Although Claire Keegan’s collection of short stories, Antarctica, has won numerous plaudits, there was something about them which bothered me. It was as if there was something missing – or, more likely, something I hadn’t spotted.
Perhaps I was put off by the title story which I found unrealistic and a little clichéd. If the man in the story was predisposed as presented, then I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have waited until the second date to make his move. [I’m trying to avoid spoilers here!] It was, for me, a flaw in the narrative; and lack of understanding.
Maybe that’s what I carried with me for the rest of the collection, even if my suspicions were disproved on more than one occasion – as in the last story “Passport Soup” which portrays both male and female perspectives remarkably well.
The curse of first impressions…
Ian Gouge - Writer 