This collection of short stories first appeared in 2007, quite some time before Claire Keegan became the literary star she is now. The huge fanbase she has these days as a result of more recent books like Foster has led her publishers to re-issue many of her earlier books, and I’m happy about that.

Walk the Blue Fields has the feel of an early career book. The stories are uneven. Some hit the mark brilliantly, such as the title story and Surrender. Others don’t quite come off and the reader gets a sense of Keegan testing her reach and abilities. No matter. I’m planning on reading soon her debut collection, Antarctica, and that will complete my tour of the works of a writer who has become a firm favorite in such a short time.