Long Island

Long Island by Colm Tóibín is a profoundly absorbing novel that delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the inevitable ties that bind us to our past. Set against the backdrop of 1970s suburban America, this masterpiece portrays the life of Eilis Lacey, who navigates the labyrinth of family dynamics and cultural dislocation with a grace underscored by her enigmatic resilience.

At the centre of the story is Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant in her forties, who has built a life with her husband Tony Fiorello, amidst his sprawling Italian-American family in Long Island. The rich mosaic of their neighbourhood, with its interwoven households and familiar communal ties, sets the stage for the heart of the narrative. Though a devoted wife and a mother to two teenagers, Eilis is haunted by the life she left behind in Ireland, a place she hasn't revisited in decades. The novel skillfully illustrates the tension between her enduring connection to her homeland and her present life in a foreign world.

The plot thickens with the arrival of an Irish visitor bearing startling news—an ultimatum that threatens to shatter the idyllic facade of Eilis’s life. This unexpected revelation forces Eilis to confront buried truths and make choices that test her inner strength and moral compass. Her response to this disruption is at the heart of Tóibín’s narrative, yielding a suspenseful exploration of love, betrayal, and the quest for personal redemption.

Tóibín's storytelling is both "dazzling yet devastating," as noted by The Boston Globe, and the novel has been lauded as "momentous and hugely affecting" by The Wall Street Journal. The poignant prose lays bare the intricate layers of Eilis's character, making her journey not just a powerful narrative of self-discovery but also a reflection on the universal longing for a sense of belonging. In Long Island, Tóibín masterfully crafts a narrative that is rich in emotional depth, described as "a wonder, rich with yearning and regret" by the Star Tribune.

This novel, an Oprah's Book Club pick and an instant New York Times bestseller, cements Colm Tóibín's place as one of the foremost voices in contemporary literature. Fans of his celebrated work, Brooklyn, will find in Long Island a continuation of the exploration into the life of Eilis Lacey—painting a vivid picture of her strength against the constraints of destiny, as highlighted by Maureen Corrigan on Fresh Air.