"Long Island"
by Colm Tóibín
by Colm Tóibín
Down at Hunter's Bar roundabout there's a bookshop called "Rhyme and Reason". Principally, it sells children's books but there is one large bookcase devoted to fiction for adults. I was in the mood for reading a new novel so that is why I was there.
The bookcase is badly located - up against the little counter and at right angles to it. However, I managed to pluck out a book that I thought I might enjoy - a sequel to "Brooklyn" that was made into a film in 2015. I remembered enjoying that film when it came out - even though, after ten years, the details of it evaded me. "Long Island" is by the Irish writer Colm Tóibín who now, apparently, lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
Books can be funny in the sense that some are hard going for the reader while others are easy - real page turners which make you want to read on and on till you reach the end - sooner rather than later. For me, "Long Island" was very much in that second category. I loved it. I did not have to work at it or struggle to maintain my attention. It simply flowed. This wasn't to do with vocabulary, it was to do with style.
There are no murders in "Long Island", no cops and no detectives. It's about people, how they communicate and the secrets they keep. You end up caring about the central characters - including Eilis, Jim and Nancy. Colm Tóibín treats them tenderly and makes them seem fully human. He clearly knows a lot about the human condition and has an easy way with words.
The novel begins on Long Island but later moves back to Eilis's home town in Ireland - Enniscorthy in County Wexford which also happens to be Colm Tóibín's home town.
I don't want to give too much away in case there are people out there who might choose to read "Long Island" for themselves. However, here's a small sample of the writing:
While Jim was returning to Enniscorthy, a single moment from the previous evening stayed in his mind. She had come back from the bathroom and said, “I would have that bathroom completely redone.” She was not aware how closely he was listening. She did not seem to understand what this sounded like to him. It was its very casualness that made it appear all the more significant. She had let him know that she was imagining this as a place where she would one day live.
So yeah, I am very glad that I picked up this particular novel in "Rhyme and Reason" the Saturday before last. It was most definitely my cup of tea.
I always appreciate book recommendations. My digital library has this as well as the earlier book. I've tagged both for my wish list.
ReplyDeleteWell I think you will enjoy them Kelly.
DeleteMe too. I read this one earlier this year and I agree, it was easy to read and after seeing the film, I had a picture of these people in my mind's eye. And I enjoyed reading the original "Brooklyn" too. In fact, it set me on a course of reading more books by the same author.
ReplyDeleteHis style is as comfortable as his understanding of people.
DeleteCharacter, dialogue, story- these are all important to me. Very.
ReplyDeleteAll very much present in "Long Island".
DeleteThis sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review. I have seen some of his books in the book store but I have never read one. I think I have found my next book!
ReplyDeleteYou can sue me if you don't like it Michael!
DeleteI think I'd like to read it. I saw the film "Brooklyn" and loved it, I didn't know it was a book.Maybe that's two books I need to read.
ReplyDeleteIt would not be wasted time Kylie.
DeleteI'll have to look for the book. I read Brooklyn and saw the film, too, and loved both.
ReplyDeleteWell then, you are bound to love "Long Island" Bob.
DeleteI've heard he is quite an acclaimed writer but I have yet to read him. I may give it a try. Enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteEh? I have just finished reading the book Bruce!
DeleteIt sounds interesting. I'll have to give it a look. It's funny how some books are so easy to read, hard to put down, while others are so hard to get through.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is hard to put your finger on why that is the case .
DeleteI was thinking through your writing thta I might not bother searching for this, but then thta sentence abut the bathroom hooked me. I've written the title and author, but won't search soon as I already have five books on their way to me, plus the two foot stack on my bedside chest.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get round to reading it one day Elsie.
Deletei recently bought a cheap second hand tablet and installed some books onto it.... i struggle with low light and my eyes, so the e-reading was pretty good...... unfortunately, reading just has such a soporific effect on me that i can only manage a couple of pages at a time...... and is to be wholly avoided during the hours when i should be awake
ReplyDeleteDon't sit on the sofa and make sure you have good light too.
DeleteThank you for the review, it really sounds like something I would enjoy. Do you recommend to read Brooklyn first?
ReplyDeleteI only saw the film. You don't have to read "Brooklyn" first but it might enrich your experience with "Long Island".
DeleteOr she could have been saying "Your bathroom is awful and needs a make-over, mate".
ReplyDeleteIn the context of the story, Jim's interpretation of Nancy's words is totally valid.
DeleteI need something more challenging to read than English detective novels, so I will take a look at the book for my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteTry "Brooklyn" first Andrew - even though "Long Island" can stand alone without reference to the earlier novel.
DeleteIt looks a good read but for some reason contemporary fiction never appeals. Which is bad of me for not being interested in people and their affairs.
ReplyDeleteEach to their own Thelma.
DeleteA bookstore, is such a toyland for the mind.
ReplyDelete"A Toyland for the Mind" by David Godfrey.
Delete"Stunning!" - Washington Post
"A remarkable novel" - New York Times
"I didn't like it" - Wicked Hamster