Brooklyn by Colm Toibin (2009)
10 out of 10
Oh dear. When I gave 'Room' by Emma Donaghue 10 out of 10, I said I couldn't fault it. Well, that was before I read 'Brooklyn'. Now I have read a book with superb subtlety, and so I know what subtlety in fiction can be. And maybe this book really is perfect.
This is such a simple story, not very long, about a young woman who migrates from Ireland to America. In it we learn about events, attitudes and changing world of the 1950s. More importantly, for me, I watched Eilis and was relieved that someone could capture how imprecise, and sometimes illogical, the process of decision-making and acting on decisions can be. We can allow the world to carry us along towards the future, trying to play no part in taking responsibility for events. But then what?
Read this, and enjoy it.
10 out of 10
Oh dear. When I gave 'Room' by Emma Donaghue 10 out of 10, I said I couldn't fault it. Well, that was before I read 'Brooklyn'. Now I have read a book with superb subtlety, and so I know what subtlety in fiction can be. And maybe this book really is perfect.
This is such a simple story, not very long, about a young woman who migrates from Ireland to America. In it we learn about events, attitudes and changing world of the 1950s. More importantly, for me, I watched Eilis and was relieved that someone could capture how imprecise, and sometimes illogical, the process of decision-making and acting on decisions can be. We can allow the world to carry us along towards the future, trying to play no part in taking responsibility for events. But then what?
Read this, and enjoy it.
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