49 pages • 1 hour read
Brooklyn
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1950s
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín follows Eilis Lacey as she emigrates from Ireland to Brooklyn in the 1950s, finds a job in a department store, and falls in love with an Italian man named Tony. After her sister Rose dies, she returns to her hometown in Enniscorthy, and while there, she hides her relationship with Tony and begins falling for a local man named Jim. Eilis battles homesickness and the contrasting expectations of Brooklyn and her rural Irish home as she navigates her attempts at independence. The novel includes references to racism, anti-immigrant bias, and antisemitism.
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
146,090 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín is widely praised for its evocative prose and well-drawn characters, capturing the immigrant experience with poignant detail. The protagonist's journey resonates emotionally, though some critics find the pacing slow and the narrative predictable at times. Overall, Tóibín's storytelling excels in its subtlety and rich depiction of life transitions.
Who Should Read Brooklyn?
A reader who enjoys Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín would appreciate emotionally rich narratives centered on personal growth and cultural identity. Fans of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah will likely find Tóibín's exploration of immigrant life and self-discovery compelling. The novel is ideal for those who engage deeply with character-driven stories.
146,090 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Novel • Fiction
Brooklyn, New York • 1950s
2009
Adult
18+ years
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