A review by booktalkwithkarla
Long Island by Colm Tóibín

emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

In Long Island, Eilis leaves Long Island to visit her family in Ireland and celebrate her mum’s 80th birthday. Her teens Larry and Rosella join her, leaving Tony home with his family and a new arrival (another reason Eilis leaves). 

Colm Tóibín writes with such beauty and nostalgia. I liked getting more than Eilis’s perspective in this sequel, as Jim and Nancy are integral to the story. Love, regrets, choices, and communication all feature strongly. 

I didn’t love the ending, but did enjoy the journey and was along for the ride. And I liked that Eilis was more decisive than in the first novel. Her growth since living in Brooklyn was evident. I enjoyed this story and am glad to have discovered this author.