Recently I read a beautiful gem of a book called Foster, during which my memories were stirred. The story sounded like something I had actually watched not long ago. Eventually I realized I was reading the source material for an award-winning film I saw and loved back in 2022, The Quiet Girl (currently available to stream on Hulu or rent via Prime).
I highly recommend both the film and the book, as they complement each other well. Typically my preference is always book first, film second. In this case I think the order doesn’t matter.
Author Claire Keegan writes simply but powerfully. The story, told from a child’s point of view, unfolds like a poem, the meaning of which requires very little work on the reader’s part. Your senses are engaged, exploring a warm summer in the Irish countryside through the eyes of a formerly constrained young girl. Your emotions are also keenly aroused as our heroine’s regular life proves painfully lacking in comparison to the short experience she has as a “foster.” The love and respect her aunt and uncle show her far surpass any attention she receives from her actual parents.
When reality dictates a return to the cold starkness of her family life, the only way to move beyond tears is to hold firmly to the possibility of hope and kindness for our quiet girl as she ages and breaks free from those who value her so little.
I do highly recommend watching The Quiet Girl, even if done so before reading the book. The story’s ending needs to be experienced visually. Truly moving.
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