Brooklyn: A Novel

Brooklyn: A Novel by Colm Toibin

Eilis Lacey has come to age in a small town of Ireland in the years following World War II. She lives in the shadow of her older sister Rose who works and seems to have her life in order. Life is not exciting and there is little opportunity for work or love. Eilis is offered a chance to go to America to "better her situation" by Father Flood and agrees to the opportunity. The story line follows her life in Brooklyn as she adjusts to being Irish in America, a job and living in a boarding house with 5 other Irish girls. . She attends dances, helps at the church and studies for her bookkeeping courses and along the way meets a handsome Italian man, Tony. When a family crisis calls her back to Ireland she must decide whether to return to America or stay and continue to live out her mother's and community's expectations.

For those readers who enjoy a book written about the thoughts and feelings of the main character, this book is for them. The book does not move fast and has little plot or tension. It does give a nice rendition of the New York area following the war.

To find this title in our library go to our website at: http://www.newberglibrary.org/

This review was written by Denise