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katy_bee's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed this a great deal more than The Master and ended up reading on into the night to finish it. It's gentle, rather wistful storytelling drew me in. It's not a plot heavy book, the story unfolds without a great deal actually happening and the main character's passivity bordered on infuriating at times. Nonetheless the characters and their relationships were well drawn and there was a lot happening between what was said.
I enjoyed the insight into immigrant experiences of new York and the social structures of Catholicism in the mid twentieth century
I enjoyed the insight into immigrant experiences of new York and the social structures of Catholicism in the mid twentieth century
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Vomit, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Racism, Stalking, and Infidelity
monazaneefer's review against another edition
4.0
Having just finished watching the film a few mins ago, there's a high possibility that I'm going to confuse it with the book in my own personal opinion towards it.
Alright, so I liked the book well enough. Thought it was a simple and basic story that was engaging. What really distanced itself from being a clichéd, chic-lit novel is the writing and the fact that the author didn't exaggerate the time period. Like there were these little details and gestures that felt so natural to the time and wasn't overdone to accentuate the period.
A lot of people criticize how Eilis didn't seem to have any emotion, which is pretty true. But it didn't hinder my experience of reading the story. I'm not sure how to put it, but Eilis was very much at a distant but I didn't feel disconnected at the same time. Can't really describe how reading it felt but it was like how reading a third person novel is at its basic level...? You're there but not with the characters? *cries at my inability to write a sensible review*
However, I tend to revolve anything around the couple if there happens to be one. And I loved Tony, okay? He was really charming and reminded me a lot of Vincent Piazza's character in Jersey Boys. So after all that, she immediately falls for Jim?? What! Okay her relationship with Tony was too fast as well but keeping in mind the fact that she married Tony by the time she met Jim...ay ay ay. I get it, Tony and Jim stood as symbols for Brooklyn and Ireland but, after all that time in Brooklyn and having done so much to get there (okay not a lot, but still), she considers staying back in Ireland? That's character degradement! I mean even if she went back to Tony in the end, I'm still uncertain about whether it was reluctant or not. Circumstances show that she felt forced to go back to Tony, which bugs me.
On the other hand, the movie made it seem like she was happy and content with being back with Tony, being back in Brooklyn. So that satisfied me. But then what was the point of Jim? Even if he served as the symbol for what Ireland was, they barely portrayed it.
Anyway, in the movie, Eilis went back to Tony - happily. And that's what seemingly matters now xD
Edit: Although, I enjoyed the book, I highly doubt I'd re-read this in the future. Thinking about it, I should probably make that as a criteria before buying books. Will I read it more than once?
Alright, so I liked the book well enough. Thought it was a simple and basic story that was engaging. What really distanced itself from being a clichéd, chic-lit novel is the writing and the fact that the author didn't exaggerate the time period. Like there were these little details and gestures that felt so natural to the time and wasn't overdone to accentuate the period.
A lot of people criticize how Eilis didn't seem to have any emotion, which is pretty true. But it didn't hinder my experience of reading the story. I'm not sure how to put it, but Eilis was very much at a distant but I didn't feel disconnected at the same time. Can't really describe how reading it felt but it was like how reading a third person novel is at its basic level...? You're there but not with the characters? *cries at my inability to write a sensible review*
However, I tend to revolve anything around the couple if there happens to be one. And I loved Tony, okay? He was really charming and reminded me a lot of Vincent Piazza's character in Jersey Boys. So after all that, she immediately falls for Jim?? What! Okay her relationship with Tony was too fast as well but keeping in mind the fact that she married Tony by the time she met Jim...ay ay ay. I get it, Tony and Jim stood as symbols for Brooklyn and Ireland but, after all that time in Brooklyn and having done so much to get there (okay not a lot, but still), she considers staying back in Ireland? That's character degradement! I mean even if she went back to Tony in the end, I'm still uncertain about whether it was reluctant or not. Circumstances show that she felt forced to go back to Tony, which bugs me.
On the other hand, the movie made it seem like she was happy and content with being back with Tony, being back in Brooklyn. So that satisfied me. But then what was the point of Jim? Even if he served as the symbol for what Ireland was, they barely portrayed it.
Anyway, in the movie, Eilis went back to Tony - happily. And that's what seemingly matters now xD
Edit: Although, I enjoyed the book, I highly doubt I'd re-read this in the future. Thinking about it, I should probably make that as a criteria before buying books. Will I read it more than once?
utahmomreads's review against another edition
5.0
My husband bought this on a business trip but didn't get a chance to read it. Even though he paid full price, I was glad he discovered it.
Brooklyn was absolutely delightful. Unobtrusive and subtle, Toibin writes the story of Eilis Lacey, a young Irish girl. Arranged by her mother and sister, Eilis leaves her small town and family to emigrate to America in the mid-twentieth century. She is sponsored by a priest who finds her work and a room in Brooklyn. There she finds love, an education and a future. But the lure of home is strong and she must finally decide for herself what her future will be.
The most wonderful thing about the book is the naive and sweet yet complex character of Eilis.
Reading this book is like sitting in the cozy front room and listening to a grandmother tell her story. There is nothing flashy about this book. It simply rings true.
Brooklyn was absolutely delightful. Unobtrusive and subtle, Toibin writes the story of Eilis Lacey, a young Irish girl. Arranged by her mother and sister, Eilis leaves her small town and family to emigrate to America in the mid-twentieth century. She is sponsored by a priest who finds her work and a room in Brooklyn. There she finds love, an education and a future. But the lure of home is strong and she must finally decide for herself what her future will be.
The most wonderful thing about the book is the naive and sweet yet complex character of Eilis.
Reading this book is like sitting in the cozy front room and listening to a grandmother tell her story. There is nothing flashy about this book. It simply rings true.
syndi3's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Brooklyn is a story of immigrant girl from Irish to New York. It is a story of coming of age and the movie, I think done it better than the book. I am sure the book is fine too but due to culture historical difference, I do not connect with the story very well.
reyreyjay's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
catreads62's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I listened to this and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading Long Island!
amandace331's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
1.0
I really had high hopes for this book. A coming of age story set in 1950ish Ireland and Brooklyn...that's my jam. But the main character, Eilis, is just so uninteresting and spineless. And I'm sorry, that ending. Boo.
ogma's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75