Reviews

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

emmavardy2's review against another edition

emotional hopeful relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Really enjoyed reading this in preparation for the sequel long island. Pulled me out of a reading slump. Wonderful story telling with main characters you can empathise with.

bgg0823's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

ao1f3ge's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ailbhereads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One of my favourite novels - the story is so simple yet so compelling. Beautifully written. 

xor73's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

It is very rare that you will find I have watched a movie adaptation before I have read the book but that is in fact the case for Brooklyn. In fairness to me when I watched the movie way back when I was unaware that there was a book at all. Loving the movie made me want to read this book and no surprise here but the book is infinitely better. 

ashlynregan's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Reads like a pastoral…the first part is boring but it picks up in the second act. I will be reading the sequel!

bronwyningoldsby's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

pcarey1356's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

milipayne's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Liked this book but hate the characters. Like they all are not really good people in any way shape or form. All of Eilis’s redeeming qualities died with rose ngl. Written so nicely tho want to read the sequel. I also think I hate the characters because they are all real and flawed in a way that’s too relatable. Also this man writes women so well??? And it’s just as if the whole story was written by a woman.

On a side note eilis has actually zero backbone sorry hun 1 person calls u out and u can’t even say gdbye irl?? What we’re u gna do girl like what was the plan God what an idiot she’s just like ME

despina19's review against another edition

3.75

I have a soft spot for immigrant stories and stories about women navigating their way through difficult situations and finding agency. Here we see Eilis Lacey as a young woman in Ireland, who comes to find herself living in Brooklyn, working, studying and trying to make a life for herself - even if none of this occurred of her own initiative. I was lucky enough to read this just before Long Island, the sequel, published, and I thought this ending just screamed for a sequel. So I was so glad I’d get to revisit Eilis 20 years later to see what happened. 

Toibin writes about everyday life and provides us an interior view of Eilis’ experiences in a way where you get to know her so well…and then he throws you a curve ball with something happening that you just will not expect. Really enjoyed the story and love his writing.