This beautifully realised follow up to the author’s Brooklyn, captivates the reader in the way in which it delves deep into the complexities of the character’s emotions and how the past can never be fully forgotten.
Set 20 years after Brooklyn, Colm Tóibín brilliantly and sensitively invites readers back into the world of Eilis, who had moved to New York in search of bigger opportunities outside of her hometown in Ireland.
Now two decades on from this, Eilis is still married to Tony but soon discovers her world is about to turn upside down when she discovers that he is about to have a baby with another woman. In light of this she flees back to Ireland, where she reconnects with those she left behind.
Colm Tóibín has such a way of delving deep into the characters worlds, particularly on an emotional level. Long Island is told through the perspective of not only Eilis but that of Jim Farrell who still is unmarried and running the local pub and Nancy, Eilis’s former best friend – even now after all this time has past their lives are still intertwined as the story unfolds gently to a bittersweet climax.
The gentle lilting style of the book works really well in terms of unraveling the story at a good pace without feeling as though it drags. The author invites you to take your time in understanding the characters, their emotions and motivations for their actions that highlights their flaws in a non judgemental way. Long Island beautifully captures the complexities of human relationships and emotions and it is hard not to feel for each of them.
Aside from the explosive revelation at the start, perhaps not much does happen in terms of events, but it is the everyday events and occurrences that still manage to make an impact on the reader that still has plenty of twists and turns along the way, particularly for Jim Farrell who has never completely got over Eilis but has a new future waiting for him if he chooses it. Throughout, the reader is shown how little decisions can have a huge impact, creating a fascinatingly understated tension that keeps the reader engaged.
It is equally fascinating to see how the characters have changed and matured over the last twenty years. In particular, Eilis feels a little bit stronger and more certain about her place in the world – even if there are flashes of brittleness to her that can make the reader flinch in her attitude. But it is interesting to see her self awareness of trying to figure out still where she belongs both in her family in America and the one she has in Enniscorthy. It is clear through all the characters what their life experiences have taught them and it is well thought out.
There will be some who find Long Island a bit too subtle for their taste, but for fans of Brooklyn it is a welcome and beautifully thought out sequel.
By Emma Clarendon
Long Island is available to buy now.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐