Long Island

By: Colm Tóibín

Narrated by: Jessie Buckley

Read by Olivier Award winner and Oscar nominee, Jessie Buckley, and featuring an exclusive audio Q&A.

'Heartbreak, wistfulness, cracking dialogue . . . This is Tóibín at his best' - The Times
'A masterful novel full of longing and regret . . . Intensely moving and yet full of restraint' - Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain

OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK
AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4

Long Island is Colm Tóibín’s masterpiece: an exquisite, exhilarating audiobook that asks whether it is possible to truly return to the past and renew the great love that seemed gone forever. The sequel to Colm Tóibín's prize-winning, bestselling novel Brooklyn.

A man with an Irish accent knocks on Eilis Fiorello’s door on Long Island and in that moment everything changes. Eilis and Tony have built a secure, happy life here since leaving Brooklyn - perhaps a little stifled by the in-laws so close, but twenty years married and with two children looking towards a good future.

And yet this stranger will reveal something that will make Eilis question the life she has created. For the first time in years she suddenly feels very far from home and the revelation will see her turn towards Ireland once again. Back to her mother. Back to the town and the people she had chosen to leave behind. Did she make the wrong choice marrying Tony all those years ago? Is it too late now to take a different path?

©2024 Colm Tóibín (P)2024 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

Long Island is the best new novel I’ve read in years – and it’s as persuasive an argument in defence of the unique capability of the novel form as you could ever hope to find (Megan Nolan)

A brilliant novel . . . it is beautifully crafted and makes for a riveting, wonderful read (Elizabeth Strout)

Heartbreak, wistfulness, cracking dialogue . . . This is Tóibín at his best (Robbie Millen)

Morally and pscyhologically meaty . . . Engrossing, truthful and humane, [Long Island] is a magnificent achievement (Johanna Thomas-Corr)

A masterful and uproariously entertaining book, glittering with all of Toibin's intelligence and humane wit, as compelling, passionate and quietly enigmatic as its unforgettable protagonist Eilis Lacey (Colin Barrett, author of Wild Houses)

One of Buckley's narrating gifts is her ability to project Lacey's silences. She allows intimate conversations to unfold with quiet immediacy. The result is a performance that fits perfectly the humanity of Tóibín's cast. It is so winning and full of depth that the most evocative passages stand alone as their own moments. Listeners can't help but be drawn close. - AudioFile

Waiting for the 3rd book now

It is an interesting book, although Eilish character is not explained that well. Guess Mr Toibin had already in mind a 3rd book when he delivered this one, otherwise the end doesn’t make sense

Brilliant!

Absolutely loved this novel. The characters are so real and one feels all the emotions they are feeling.
Colm Toibin is a master storyteller.
The narrator is outstanding.
There is always something extra special about an Irish novel, and this one is right up there, as one of the best.
Highly recommended.

Such observation!

Absolutely wonderful and subtle understanding of human nature - heart squeezingly beautiful writing - as always - colm toibin has an incredible insight and sensitivity - and humour - in creating these people who could be you or me or someone we know …