Long Island (Eilis Lacey Series)

OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK * INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NAMED A NOTABLE BOOK OF 2024 BY THE WASHINGTON POST * NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2024 BY NPR * WINNER OF THE PRIX FEMINA * "Stunning." --People * "Dazzling yet devastating...Tóibín is simply one of the world's best living literary writers." --The Boston Globe * "Momentous and hugely affecting." --The Wall Street Journal *

 

From the beloved, critically acclaimed, bestselling author comes a spectacularly moving novel featuring Eilis Lacey, the complex and enigmatic heroine of Brooklyn, Tóibín's most popular work in twenty years.

 

Eilis Lacey is Irish, married to Tony Fiorello, a plumber and one of four Italian American brothers, all of whom live in neighboring houses on a cul-de-sac in Lindenhurst, Long Island, with their wives and children and Tony's parents, a huge extended family. It is the spring of 1976 and Eilis is now forty with two teenage children. Though her ties to Ireland remain stronger than those that hold her to her new land and home, she has not returned in decades.

 

One day, when Tony is at work an Irishman comes to the door asking for Eilis by name. He tells her that his wife is pregnant with Tony's child and that when the baby is born, he will not raise it but instead deposit it on Eilis's doorstep. It is what Eilis does--and what she refuses to do--in response to this stunning news that makes Tóibín's novel so riveting and suspenseful.

 

Long Island is a gorgeous story "about a woman thrashing against the constraints of fate" (Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air). It is "a wonder, rich with yearning and regret" (Star Tribune, Minneapolis).

BUY THE BOOK

304 pages

Average rating: 6.47

87 RATINGS

|

4 REVIEWS

These clubs recently read this book...

Community Reviews

Nancy Keyes
Jan 02, 2025
9/10 stars
A beautifully written, thought provoking saga examining the human condition as it responds to shock, grief and remorse. Apparently a sequel to “Brooklyn”, 15 yrs after it was published. Potentially a romantic tragedy, but without a finale. The author leaves the door open for multiple possibilities, and a potential third book in the series; or perhaps intentionally leaving us (the reader) in the moment. How does one choose? Is one choice better than another? Can anyone know what the future will hold? Is there ever a better option? No matter which decision Eilis or Jim chooses there will be sacrifices…. The AI tree indicated by Toibin in the character’s thoughts demonstrates that there will ALWAYS BE REGRETS. NO CHOICE IS WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE! While the protagonist and others in this story appear to be passive individuals who seem unable to make decisions to promote their happiness, allowing others to make choices that seemingly have a negative impact on the attainment of their dreams, they seem to be mentally weighing their decisions in order to attain their “dream life” demonstrating that a PERFECT choice clearly DOES NOT EXIST. The message here is life is not simple. It is complicated, messy and confusing. Toibin allows the reader to hear the thoughts and dreams of each of the main characters; and yet, while some characters find hurdles preventing them from attaining their dreams, one manipulative character demonstrates a clear ability to achieve her goals—knowing that in doing so she is preventing others from achieving their deepest desires. One wonders if she is selfish or realistic. By accepting that no relationship is perfect and without sacrifice, she works to acquire her dream life at the expense of other’s potential ideals. Does she recognize that the other’s ideology will never provide either with any better option than what she has to offer? What sacrifices do people make to prevent hurting others? At what point does one decide they need to put their desires above those of their closest relations? The examination of “selfishness” is thematic in this work. As frustrating as the ending may seem, the author truly grasps the human spirit in this portrayal of life in the 1970’s on Long Island and in Ireland. One unique passage stands out regarding the belief in an afterlife in which we reconnect with our true loves. The character’s recognition that a second marriage is a means to meet one’s current desire for a more comfortable temporary human existence, not necessarily a Devine unification of spirits. Will Nancy eventually reconnect with George, Eilis with Jim, and Tony with his baby mama in perpetuity; and if so, does that belief justify the actions taken for immediate creature comforts?
Jenpit
Oct 03, 2024
4/10 stars
I thought I was going to enjoy this book when it started. But once she went to Ireland it lost all the interesting parts and become so boring. The ending did not make me care to read the 3rd book
richardbakare
Sep 01, 2024
6/10 stars
Colm Tolbin’s “Long Island” is a synergy of Sally Rooney’s romantic stories and Ann Napolitano’s family dramas. It was engaging from the first paragraph and is the follow up to her book “Brooklyn.” This one takes place 20-ish years after the first book. I didn’t know it was a series at the time of picking it up. Tolbin’s written “Long Island” to stand on its own and extend the Ellis Lacy story at the same time. Though it starts with a bang, it did lull in the middle and lost me in some parts. In the end it pulled itself back together and ends at a point that will leave you wishing for a third installment. I am sure some production house will pick up and adapt this novel for television as well. It has all the romantic, playful, and just the right amount of messy drama to make for good TV. Tolbin produces vivid imagery of setting and time that flows neatly out from elegant style of writing. I have never been to Ireland but felt like it was at the top of my fingers with every page. I especially love how Tolbin uses dual perspectives on the same scene to enrich the experience for the reader. It omnipresent in a he said she said kind of way. A good read but still a surprise to me that it made Oprah’s book club list.
KatieCampbell
Jul 12, 2024
3/10 stars
Nan -5.5 Judi - 4 Kara - 5 Sharon - 4 Rose - 4 Adriana - 5 Lisa - 3 Tina - 5 Katie Campbell - 3 Risa- 7!

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.