Brooklyn
Toibin, Colm

Description

The novel follows Eilis, the less self-assured of two sisters living in small-town Ireland in the 1950s, as she is cajoled into moving to Brooklyn in search of work and a better life. Her initial home sickness is gradually replaced with a new confidence and satisfaction with her lot as she adapts to her new home and job.

But her life is thrown back into turmoil when she’s called back to Ireland leaving her with some extremely tricky decisions to make. The powerful way that Toibin describes Eilis’ feelings of loneliness and duty, and his descriptions of Brooklyn and Ireland, have stuck in my mind long after finishing this remarkable novel.

I’ve never read better descriptions of homesickness or of the blend of excitement and nervousness that comes with any step taken outside your comfort zone. Perfect for all devourers of literary fiction with well-drawn characters and gradually quickening plots. Oh, and the ending is brilliant.

Paperback-Penguin-2010

Price: £7.99

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