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Long Island
Colm Tóibín

Long Island

Quick Answer

Read "Long Island" as the 2nd book in the Brooklyn sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Brooklyn" (Book 1)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 2nd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2025304 pp
<b>* OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK * INSTANT <i>NEW YORK TIMES </i>BESTSELLER *</b><br> <b>* NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2024 BY <i>TIME </i>MAGAZINE<i>, THE NEW YORKER, WASHINGTON POST, VULTURE, GLAMOUR, FRESH AIR, </i>NPR, <i>THE GUARDIAN, THE ECONOMIST, THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT, THE TIMES </i></b><b><i>(London),</i></b><b> <i>THE IRISH TIMES,</i> <i>THE NEW STATESMAN, THE INDEPENDENT, THE OBSERVER, </i>and more *<br> <br> <b>“Stunning.” —<i>People </i>* “Dazzling yet devastating...Tóibín is simply one of the world’s best living literary writers.” —<i>The Boston Globe</i> * “Momentous and hugely affecting.” —<i>The Wall Street Journal</i> *</b><br> <br> <b><b><b><b>From the beloved, critically acclaimed, bestselling author comes a spectacularly moving novel featuring Eilis Lacey, the complex and enigmatic heroine of <i>Brooklyn</i>, Tóibín’s most popular work in twenty years.</b></b></b></b></b><br><br>Eilis Lacey is Irish, married to Tony Fiorello, a plumber and one of four Italian American brothers, all of whom live in neighboring houses on a cul-de-sac in Lindenhurst, Long Island, with their wives and children and Tony’s parents, a huge extended family. It is the spring of 1976 and Eilis is now forty with two teenage children. Though her ties to Ireland remain stronger than those that hold her to her new land and home, she has not returned in decades.<br> <br>One day, when Tony is at work an Irishman comes to the door asking for Eilis by name. He tells her that his wife is pregnant with Tony’s child and that when the baby is born, he will not raise it but instead deposit it on Eilis’s doorstep. It is what Eilis does—and what she refuses to do—in response to this stunning news that makes Tóibín’s novel so riveting and suspenseful.<br> <br><i>Long Island </i>is a gorgeous story “about a woman thrashing against the constraints of fate” (Maureen Corrigan, <i>Fresh Air</i>). It is “a wonder, rich with yearning and regret” (<i>Star Tribune</i>, Minneapolis).

Series Order Complete! 🎉

You have reached the latest record for this series guide.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Brooklyn conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Long Island?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Long Island before Brooklyn?

No. We recommend reading Brooklyn first. Long Island is the 2th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Long Island required reading for the Brooklyn?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Long Island in the reading order?

Currently, Long Island is the latest entry listed in our database for this series guide.

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