cflag 's review for:

Long Island by Colm Tóibín
5.0
emotional hopeful reflective sad 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: Complicated
I cannot explain why but these normal characters and their small lives had me on the edge of my seat the whole damn time. I picked up the book just to see how a sequel to Brooklyn might begin and I couldn't put it down. I'm also amazed at what can be done with such a careful, sparse writing style. A lot of side characters get bigger story lines, and while it kind of tears up the feeling we're left with after Brooklyn, it does feel real and makes Eilis's life bigger than just that one moment. It's fascinating to watch them as older characters and the social pressure, American and Irish, is a big part of the story. It's definitely more of a quiet novel focused on introspection and is heavily character driven, but I thought it was wonderful. I really hope the story continues and we get another book.

With regards to some spoilers:
The Tony thing (affair, baby) is devastating... especially the way everyone is handling it around her, making her the most powerless character. So going to Ireland feels right. It was wonderful to see the mother again and how their relationship was totally different that I thought it might be, and how the children came too. Jim and Nancy though... that was also painful. Come on Jim! And I think the lack of Tony, and lack of full circle coming back to him was a surprise, but it made Eilis the centre of the story rather than any romance or betrayal. It also makes me want to know what happens next. I so badly want to see what's happening back in America. I wish there had been more discussion about the affair and baby between Eilis and Tony but them not communicating feels hugely applicable to the times and so very realistic. I also liked the open-ended ending because it felt right for the story and leads me to believe there may be more to the story.


Such an unexpected book but it really captured me. Beautiful.
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