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Jan 02, 2018bibliosara rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Brooklyn, as my first Colm Toibin book, set the standard high. I had already watched the movie (which I loved) and was eager to read the book it was based off of. Toibin has a natural gift for storytelling. This novel was stirring, emotional, and poetic. Like the movie, the story progresses at a steady pace. This is not an action novel, but it is a novel that will sweep you along on a journey you won't soon forget. The pace suits the characters, the time, and the plot. Toibin's style is magical. As Eilis' personal as well as physical journey progress, you find yourself rooting for an unusual heroine. Eilis is a sweet and endearing young woman with a powerful story and admirable character. Eilis' struggle was not unusual, and by the end of the book you not only feel satisfied (and maybe a little happy-weepy) but also educated. Toibin interweaves fact with fiction, making this historical fiction at its best.