Brooklyn

A Novel

By: Colm Toibin

Narrated by: Saoirse Ronan

A NEW PRODUCTION NARRATED BY SAOIRSE RONAN, ACADEMY AWARD–NOMINATED STAR OF THE 2015 FILM ADAPTATION!

Colm Tóibín’s New York Times bestselling novel—also an acclaimed film starring Saoirse Ronan and Jim Broadbent nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture—is “a moving, deeply satisfying read” (Entertainment Weekly) about a young Irish immigrant in Brooklyn in the early 1950s.

“One of the most unforgettable characters in contemporary literature” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), Eilis Lacey has come of age in small-town Ireland in the hard years following World War Two. When an Irish priest from Brooklyn offers to sponsor Eilis in America, she decides she must go, leaving her fragile mother and her charismatic sister behind.

Eilis finds work in a department store on Fulton Street, and when she least expects it, finds love. Tony, who loves the Dodgers and his big Italian family, slowly wins her over with patient charm. But just as Eilis begins to fall in love, devastating news from Ireland threatens the promise of her future.

Author “Colm Tóibín…is his generation’s most gifted writer of love’s complicated, contradictory power” (Los Angeles Times). “Written with mesmerizing power and skill” (The Boston Globe), Brooklyn is a “triumph…One of those magically quiet novels that sneak up on readers and capture their imaginations” (USA TODAY).

Critic reviews

"Colm Tóibín’s appealing 2009 novel receives an exemplary performance from Saoirse Ronan. Set in Ireland and Brooklyn in the 1950s, the story unfolds with Ronan’s lilting voice and lush pronunciations allowing both Ireland and Brooklyn to become vivid locales. Ronan’s sensitive delivery highlights Ellis Lacey’s emotional connection to her tiny Irish village and to her mother and sister. After leaving for Brooklyn and a better life, Ellis deals with homesickness and the stresses faced by newcomers anywhere. She also finds friendship, love, and hope. Ronan’s familiarity with the characters—she played Ellis in the film version—serves the audiobook well. She creates a clear-eyed, if naïve, young woman’s coming of age in a postwar world. Ronan’s authentic performance makes this first-rate listening."

An engaging story

This was a nice story of the immigrant experience. I wouldn’t call it profound, but it was interesting, well read, and kept my attention throughout.

Great story

Narration was great by of my favorite actresses . The time flew by and it was done so fast

Eilish is too passive

I kept waiting for Eilish to grow a backbone, to develop agency, to do something besides simply breathe as she floated through life. I finally gave up with 2 hours left in the book. Eilish was tedious, had no growth or development of character. My life is too short to spend more time with that character.

Irish or Italian

I read Long Island 1st and I'm almost glad because I know how she turns out so to speak. I feel like Eiliss is way more complicated than she acts. Her internal monolog is masked by her shyness and perceived indifference. Rather she often seems more concerned with how she is seen by others as opposed to what she wants. She cares more for everyone else's feelings rather than her own wants and needs. I enjoyed this.

good writing but unenjoyable story

about 75% of the story is sad but it is well written. wouldnt recommend.