“Brooklyn” is essentially a sweet tale simply told, but with much emotional depth. Just because it is a fairly simple story and the protagonist is somewhat laconic doesn’t mean that there isn’t much going on or that it was an easy knock-off for Toibin. Much authorial craft has made it so simple yet so profound, melding Eilis’ personal journey from Ireland to the U.S. and as a young woman to social changes that were just starting to gain momentum in the 1950s. Snippets of tart dialogue spice up the mix along the way.
Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin
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