Long Island

by Colm Tóibín
Long Island cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Contemporary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 3651
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9798891641563
  • Published: 2024-06-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Eilis Lacey, an Irish woman in her forties, finds herself in a new country with no one to rely on. Married to Tony Fiorello, a plumber with a large Italian-American family, Eilis lives in Lindenhurst, Long Island, where the extended family lives and works together. With two teenage children, Eilis struggles to find her place in this tight-knit community while maintaining her ties to Ireland./n/nSet in the spring of 1976, the story explores Eilis's journey as she navigates the complexities of her dual identity and the challenges of assimilating into a new culture. The novel delves into the dynamics of family, community, and the search for belonging in a rapidly changing world.

Reviews
booksaremyfavouriteandbest.com · 2024-10-28
exquisite 4.50

The novel is described as exquisite and even better than its predecessor, Brooklyn. The writing is praised for its depth and emotional resonance.

The reviewer found Long Island to be a beautifully written novel that surpasses the emotional depth of Brooklyn. They highlight the exquisite prose and the way the story delves into the complexities of relationships and personal growth. The reviewer is particularly impressed with how Tóibín captures the nuances of Eilis's journey, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Colm Tóibín's Long Island – the sequel to Brooklyn – is exquisite.

    I'll go as far as saying that I enjoyed it more than Brooklyn.

    The writing is beautiful and the story is deeply moving.

The Guardian · 2024-05-19
profound 4.00

The novel skillfully conveys the complexities of human motivations and relationships. It is noted for its insightful exploration of a marriage in crisis.

The reviewer appreciates how Long Island skillfully portrays the intricacies of human motivations and the challenges within a marriage. They find the novel to be a profound exploration of personal relationships and the blind spots we often have regarding our own actions and emotions. The reviewer also notes the skillful storytelling and the depth of character development.

Quick quotes

    This follow-up, set 20 years on, kicks off with a marriage in crisis and skilfully conveys how blind we are to our own motivations.

    Tóibín's writing is as precise and evocative as ever.

    The novel offers a deep and nuanced look into the human condition.

The Readers Room · 2024-05-06
disappointing 2.50

The reviewer found it hard to engage with the story and the main character, Eilis, due to her perceived blandness and lack of depth.

The reviewer struggled to connect with Eilis Lacey's story, finding her character uninteresting and bland. They felt that the narrative lacked the depth and engagement that made Brooklyn so compelling. Despite this, they acknowledge the novel's strengths in its exploration of themes like migration and family expectations, but ultimately found it less satisfying.

Quick quotes

    I found it a bit hard to be engaged in the story of 20-year old Eilis and I found her rather bland and uninteresting in the prior book.

    While the themes are compelling, the execution falls short.

    The novel feels more like a continuation than a stand-alone story.

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