richardms1967's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful, quite wonderful. Toibin proves that great books don't require bags of action, inumerable twists and melodramatic characters to make them work. This is a simple tale beautifully told. As it progresses, the emotional intensity of the narration inches up until you feel as claustrophobic as Eilis does in the novel.
A wonderful novel and definitely worth the read.
A wonderful novel and definitely worth the read.
tayloreve07's review against another edition
Not overly advanced prose, but a really nice story. Don't read it if you're already feeling homesick. Also I'm always going to give good reviews for books that turn me into a pile of weeping mush.
maxjgraham's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jessieashton's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
marshmallowbooks's review
3.0
I liked this book and I am eager to see the movie. I love pretty much anything Ireland, and this is about an Irish girl embarking on her own from her hometown to find here way in Brooklyn in the 1950's.
While I did like the story, I kind of wish someone else would take a stab at writing it. This is the first I've read by Colm Toibin. I don't know if this is his style, or if the situation was specific to this book only. What I found was the prose was a bit jerky, with short, blunt sentences. It's written in a way that made me imagine the characters themselves moving jerkily, in an almost robotic fashion. That got in the way of my enjoying the book a little bit.
I also wish that more had been done with the ending. A lot happens at the end of the book with Eilis trying to figure out what to do with two options that are available to her. We read a lot about what goes on in her head and her dilemma of trying to choose and make the best choice. Of course the book ends with her making a selection, but the book ends basically with, "And that's what Eilis chose." It's not a cliffhanger for a sequel, but I really would have appreciated another chapter or two, or an epilogue at the very least, to wind things down a little more satisfactorily. It's like I was following Eilis closely around as she went through her experience, and all of a sudden, when I was still just one step behind her, she walked through a clearly marked door where I'm thinking we'll get to the conclusion of the story. however, instead of being able to cross the threshold into that last room myself, the door is closed behind Eilis, and I'm left there just to know the gist of the ending.
While I did like the story, I kind of wish someone else would take a stab at writing it. This is the first I've read by Colm Toibin. I don't know if this is his style, or if the situation was specific to this book only. What I found was the prose was a bit jerky, with short, blunt sentences. It's written in a way that made me imagine the characters themselves moving jerkily, in an almost robotic fashion. That got in the way of my enjoying the book a little bit.
I also wish that more had been done with the ending. A lot happens at the end of the book with Eilis trying to figure out what to do with two options that are available to her. We read a lot about what goes on in her head and her dilemma of trying to choose and make the best choice. Of course the book ends with her making a selection, but the book ends basically with, "And that's what Eilis chose." It's not a cliffhanger for a sequel, but I really would have appreciated another chapter or two, or an epilogue at the very least, to wind things down a little more satisfactorily. It's like I was following Eilis closely around as she went through her experience, and all of a sudden, when I was still just one step behind her, she walked through a clearly marked door where I'm thinking we'll get to the conclusion of the story. however, instead of being able to cross the threshold into that last room myself, the door is closed behind Eilis, and I'm left there just to know the gist of the ending.
karaklos's review against another edition
4.0
Brooklyn is an enjoyable and endearing novel that follows Eilis, a young Irish woman who emigrates alone from Ireland to the US. The story is very simple yet captivating.
Toibin weaves historical elements into the story providing a rich sense of time and setting. I was impressed with his ability to write what is essentially a woman’s story.
Throughout the book, Eilis is a very passive character. Decisions are arranged for her and she goes along with what others want. I normally would not applaud such a character but she was very likable and a sympathetic character.
When Eilis made her way from Ireland to America, I eagerly waited to hear her first impressions of her new home and the people she encountered. I imagined that she would be very fearful and wanted to live the immigrant’s experience through her eyes. I was surprised that this was glossed over completely. Eilis was already planted in her new home without any introduction to it.
I liked Eilis’ choices in the end but wanted to know the thoughts and motivations behind them. I wanted to hear her voice and the outcome of her decisions. I needed another 50 pages.
Toibin weaves historical elements into the story providing a rich sense of time and setting. I was impressed with his ability to write what is essentially a woman’s story.
Throughout the book, Eilis is a very passive character. Decisions are arranged for her and she goes along with what others want. I normally would not applaud such a character but she was very likable and a sympathetic character.
When Eilis made her way from Ireland to America, I eagerly waited to hear her first impressions of her new home and the people she encountered. I imagined that she would be very fearful and wanted to live the immigrant’s experience through her eyes. I was surprised that this was glossed over completely. Eilis was already planted in her new home without any introduction to it.
I liked Eilis’ choices in the end but wanted to know the thoughts and motivations behind them. I wanted to hear her voice and the outcome of her decisions. I needed another 50 pages.
molly_cahill's review against another edition
4.5
Finished just now and unsure how to feel about the last of 4 parts and the ending….
melolivia17's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25