2026 Reading Challenge
Brooklyn (Eilis Lacey, #1)

Questions About Brooklyn (Eilis Lacey, #1)

by Colm Tóibín

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Answered Questions (24)

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Jessica I realize I may be in the minority here, but I don't think Eilis ever really loved Jim. I think she liked him as a person, certainly, but what I think…moreI realize I may be in the minority here, but I don't think Eilis ever really loved Jim. I think she liked him as a person, certainly, but what I think she really loved was what he represented: a steady, familiar life in the town she grew up in. This struck me the most when she was attending her friend's wedding and thought that she "didn't love Tony now." What she was experiencing was a fun, cheerful event with all the people she'd known her whole life, and this is what she could have for herself if she stayed with Jim. But later on, when Miss Kelly pettily informs Eilis that she knows her secret, she's reminded of what else life with Jim will mean--living in a town where everyone knows who you are and what you've done, without any chances to start over. This is when a life with Tony in Brooklyn becomes more appealing, because now she's realized that she had adapted to life in a big city in a new country, and enjoyed her independence too much to forfeit it now. I certainly hope that she really does love Tony, but even if she doesn't then I imagine that she would grow to love him more with time.(less)
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Is this a clean book? Could a 12 year old read this.
Patrick Yes, a twelve-year-old could read this. When he or she gets to the benign sexual scenes, talk to him or her about it. It's hardly something that shoul…moreYes, a twelve-year-old could read this. When he or she gets to the benign sexual scenes, talk to him or her about it. It's hardly something that should be hidden or banned.(less)
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Please, someone, tell me how to pronounce the main character's name ? It drove me crazy through the whole book.
Jayna Apparently nobody knows.
The audiobook pronounces it I-lish (long I, basically "Irish" with an l instead of an r)
In the movie, it is mainly pronounced …moreApparently nobody knows.
The audiobook pronounces it I-lish (long I, basically "Irish" with an l instead of an r)
In the movie, it is mainly pronounced A-lish (long A)
But, in the movie, you also hear E-lish (long E) and El-lish (short E).(less)
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Does this book contain language, premarital sex, or homosexuality? If so, please explain (to what extent)
SteveVacations yeah there's an intense group gay sex scene described in graphic detail. kinda comes out of nowhere and is quite long and brutal at points…moreyeah there's an intense group gay sex scene described in graphic detail. kinda comes out of nowhere and is quite long and brutal at points(less)
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Am I the only one who was bothered by the scene where Miss Fortini is helping Eilis try on bathing suits, and touches her inappropriately. And Eilis says and does nothing?!? Is everyone ok with this?
Bernadette I did NOT think that was okay either! I was waiting for that to resolve but it didn't go anywhere plot-wise. Weird!…moreI did NOT think that was okay either! I was waiting for that to resolve but it didn't go anywhere plot-wise. Weird!(less)
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