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Brooklyn
by Toibin, Colm
- Used
- Near Fine
- Paperback
- Condition
- Near Fine
- ISBN 10
- 1439148953
- ISBN 13
- 9781439148952
- Seller
-
Anaheim, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
Colm Tóibín’s most recent novel, The Master , won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, Le prix du meilleur livre étranger, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. His other books of fiction include The Story of the Night , The Blackwater Lightship , a finalist for the Man Booker Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and the short fiction collection Mothers and Sons . Tóibín was one of the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize judges in Toronto. He lives in Dublin, Ireland.
Reviews
Times were tough and jobs were scarce in post-World War II Ireland. The Lacey family of Enniscorthy had already found itself fractured by the death of the father and the subsequent emigration to England of the three sons. Poised, lovely Rose Lacey is secure in her office position, but her concern for her sister's future leads her to suggest that Eilis accept an offer from an Irish priest now living in Brooklyn to help her resettle in the U.S. The journey in third class is hard, her lodgings with Mrs. Kehoe are far from homey, and Eilis suffers from debilitating homesickness. Then she meets Tony, who slowly but surely wins her over with his Italian charm. Just as she is feeling a measure of comfort in her new life, Eilis learns of Rose's sudden death and knows that she must head back over the Atlantic for a month at "home." After a few days back in Ireland, Eilis is no longer sure that he wants to return to Brooklyn and Tony. Toibin's insights into the mind of a young woman hit the mark. But, perhaps because of its mid-century setting, I found the book almost too quaint and Eilis somewhat lacking in depth. Her fractured life was depicted so matter-of-factly that it failed to stir me emotionally. On the other hand, even after finishing the book, I find myself trying to put myself in Eilis's shoes and thinking about how I would have responded. This is a good read, although not, in my opinion, this author's best work. "The Blackwater Lightship" still has my vote.
The plot and characters are woven together neatly, but about 2/3 of the way through the book, there is an event which doesn't fit with the flow of the story. In retrospect, it seems to be added as a way to highlight some personal choices the author has made in his own private life. It would have been an excellent book without the intrusion of those elements, but that really ruined it for me.
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Details
- Bookseller
- BookTown USA
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 4016922
- Title
- Brooklyn
- Author
- Toibin, Colm
- Format/Binding
- Trade Paperback
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 1439148953
- ISBN 13
- 9781439148952
- Publisher
- Scribner
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 2009
Terms of Sale
BookTown USA
Make payments directly with your VISA or MASTERCARD. All shipments via U.S. Post Office, Media Mail. If you require U.S. Priority Mail, please state so. Overseas shipping is at cost + $1.00. California residents an additional 7.75%, for state sales tax, will be requested after you order. All listed books are subject to prior sale. All prices are net. My return policy: All books guaranteed for 14 days and may be returned with advance notice if for any reason you're unhappy with your purchase. If I misdescribed the book I will refund your postage as well, otherwise the postage cost will be subtracted from your refund. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or over-sized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.
About the Seller
BookTown USA
About BookTown USA
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Trade Paperback
- Used to indicate any paperback book that is larger than a mass-market paperback and is often more similar in size to a hardcover...