Brooklyn

A Novel

By: Colm Toibin

Narrated by: Saoirse Ronan

A NEW PRODUCTION NARRATED BY SAOIRSE RONAN, ACADEMY AWARD–NOMINATED STAR OF THE 2015 FILM ADAPTATION!

Colm Tóibín’s New York Times bestselling novel—also an acclaimed film starring Saoirse Ronan and Jim Broadbent nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture—is “a moving, deeply satisfying read” (Entertainment Weekly) about a young Irish immigrant in Brooklyn in the early 1950s.

“One of the most unforgettable characters in contemporary literature” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), Eilis Lacey has come of age in small-town Ireland in the hard years following World War Two. When an Irish priest from Brooklyn offers to sponsor Eilis in America, she decides she must go, leaving her fragile mother and her charismatic sister behind.

Eilis finds work in a department store on Fulton Street, and when she least expects it, finds love. Tony, who loves the Dodgers and his big Italian family, slowly wins her over with patient charm. But just as Eilis begins to fall in love, devastating news from Ireland threatens the promise of her future.

Author “Colm Tóibín…is his generation’s most gifted writer of love’s complicated, contradictory power” (Los Angeles Times). “Written with mesmerizing power and skill” (The Boston Globe), Brooklyn is a “triumph…One of those magically quiet novels that sneak up on readers and capture their imaginations” (USA TODAY).

Critic reviews

"Colm Tóibín’s appealing 2009 novel receives an exemplary performance from Saoirse Ronan. Set in Ireland and Brooklyn in the 1950s, the story unfolds with Ronan’s lilting voice and lush pronunciations allowing both Ireland and Brooklyn to become vivid locales. Ronan’s sensitive delivery highlights Ellis Lacey’s emotional connection to her tiny Irish village and to her mother and sister. After leaving for Brooklyn and a better life, Ellis deals with homesickness and the stresses faced by newcomers anywhere. She also finds friendship, love, and hope. Ronan’s familiarity with the characters—she played Ellis in the film version—serves the audiobook well. She creates a clear-eyed, if naïve, young woman’s coming of age in a postwar world. Ronan’s authentic performance makes this first-rate listening."

Eilish is too passive

I kept waiting for Eilish to grow a backbone, to develop agency, to do something besides simply breathe as she floated through life. I finally gave up with 2 hours left in the book. Eilish was tedious, had no growth or development of character. My life is too short to spend more time with that character.

An engaging story

This was a nice story of the immigrant experience. I wouldn’t call it profound, but it was interesting, well read, and kept my attention throughout.

Great story

Narration was great by of my favorite actresses . The time flew by and it was done so fast

Great narration.

Great narration by Saoirse Ronan Brooklyn is a nice, easy story to listen to. Stress free listening!

Saoirse Ronan voice is mesmerizing

An interesting story that transported me to another place and time. Saoirse Ronan’s voice was perfect for this reading.

Human frailty 

I’ve just re-listen to this story in order to better understand the book that follows, Long Island. It was wonderful to be reacquainted with these characters, but I was very disappointed in the change of character of both Tony and his mother-in-law back in Ireland. I found it strange that Eilish had not gone back to visit her mother in 25 years and also strange that they have not paid for her to come visit them in America. When we do meet Eilish’s mother again she does not resemble the gentle lady we found her to be in this book. l found her dramatic character change unbelievable and unsettling. I was also so disappointed in Tony, his family and how they treated Eilish. Finally, I have to say that unless there is going to be a third installation in the story of these characters, Long Island was unfulfilling in its lack of closure. If however there is definitely going to be a third book, I can forgive the author leaving so much to our imagination.
Brooklyn is a wonderful story and a delight to listen to.

The genuineness of the story.

Rememberable although, the ending was not expected and you were left guessing. The dates and times of the story were very good, I’d not recommend this book to everyone, it did hold my attention. My question is a chapter missing?

Slow moving

The book was a little slow moving and I would have preferred that it ended after she was reunited with Tony.

details of everyday lufe

I liked the quiet way she was exposed in her thoughts and how details made up her decisions

Enjoyable Story

I loved the narrator. The story was a bit slow, but I never thought about giving up on it. It generally held my interest.