Book overview Brooklyn, Book 2 Colm Tóibín

Long Island by Colm Tóibín: Comprehensive Book Guide

Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed plot points from the entire novel, including the ending. Proceed if you have read the book or do not mind spoilers.

Quick Facts

  • Series: Brooklyn (Book 2)
  • Published: 2024
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
  • Setting: Lindenhurst, Long Island, USA, and Enniscorthy, Ireland, 1976
  • Narrator: Third-person limited (primarily Eilis Lacey)
  • Author: Colm Tóibín (Laureate for Irish Fiction, 2021–2024)

Short Summary (100–200 words)

Long Island opens in spring 1976 with Eilis Lacey, now in her forties and married to Tony Fiorello, living on a cul-de-sac in Lindenhurst with their two teenage children. Her settled life shatters when an Irishman arrives at her door claiming his wife is pregnant with Tony’s child; he vows to leave the baby with her. Eilis struggles to decide how to respond as Tony and his mother Francesca take control of the situation. Fleeing to Ireland for the summer with her children, Eilis reconnects with her past, particularly Jim Farrell, the man she secretly loved twenty years earlier. As she and Jim revive their feelings, Nancy Sheridan—Jim’s secret fiancée—discovers the truth and announces a false engagement, trapping Jim in obligations. The novel culminates in a tense confrontation, leaving Eilis caught between her American marriage and her Irish past, and Jim caught between Nancy and Eilis.

Full Summary (800–1,500 words)

Part One: Long Island (Chapters 1–6)

The novel begins with the arrival of an Irishman at Eilis’s home. He reveals that his wife is pregnant by Tony and threatens violence. Eilis, isolated and unable to confide in anyone, silently accuses Tony by spilling stew. Tony understands she knows.

Seeking independence, Eilis buys a used car and takes an accounting job at Mr. Dakessian’s garage, negotiating her salary without consulting Tony. She confronts Tony about the baby; he confirms it is real and that his mother Francesca has already decided to adopt the child. Eilis refuses to care for the baby, but Frank, Tony’s lawyer brother, begins legal work. Eilis is furious at being excluded.

Eilis photographs the Fiorello family gatherings and decides not to send the photos to her mother. She challenges her father-in-law about the Vietnam War, but Tony and Frank do not support her. Francesca suggests Eilis stop attending Sunday lunches, a proposal Eilis accepts.

A letter from her mother omits Jim Farrell’s name, triggering memories of her secret romance with Jim while married to Tony. Eilis announces she is going to Ireland; both children decide to join her. Tony apologizes but cannot promise she will never see the child. The chapter ends in silence and regret.

Part Two: Enniscorthy (Chapters 7–24)

In Ireland, Nancy Sheridan deals with complaints at her chip shop. She and Jim Farrell have a secret affair and plan to marry in September. Eilis visits unexpectedly; Nancy lies that Jim is seeing someone in Dublin.

Eilis delivers new appliances to her mother’s house, sparking a bitter confrontation. Mrs. Lacey reveals she has sold the house and has savings, warning Eilis to expect no inheritance. Eilis sees Jim at his pub door but avoids him.

Jim recalls the painful aftermath of Eilis’s departure twenty years earlier and his later relationship with Mai Whitney. He considers marrying Nancy and agrees to help her. Late one night, he walks past Eilis’s house.

Nancy begins morning walks to lose weight and buys a dress for her wedding, hoping to marry Jim in Rome. Eilis, after an argument with her mother, drives to Cush, buys new furniture, and swims in the cold sea. On the strand, she encounters Jim.

Jim and Nancy drive to Dublin for her dress fitting. Jim struggles with impatience and loneliness. He learns Eilis is staying in Cush and meets her there. They have a tense conversation; Eilis knows about Nancy and says she is a married mother. They shake hands and part.

At Miriam’s wedding, Nancy sees Eilis transformed and glamorous. She weeps for her late husband George. Lily Devereux mentions that Jim was seen walking in Cush, a trip he never mentioned. Jim leaves early without telling Nancy, troubling her.

Eilis and her mother argue about a wedding dress. At the cathedral, Eilis sees Nancy, who seems distant. Jim leads Eilis to a quiet coffee shop; they agree to meet again. Eilis drives Jim to Curracloe, but weather prevents a walk. Later, Jim asks Eilis to come to his pub.

Jim waits for Eilis, fearing Nancy might call. They talk by the fire; Eilis hints at marital trouble. Jim regrets not following her when she left Ireland and proposes they meet at the Montrose Hotel in Dublin. Eilis says she will consider it.

Nancy meets Father Walsh to arrange a Rome wedding. She grows suspicious after learning Jim was also in Dublin. She decides to tell her son Gerard about her marriage plans.

Eilis drives her children from Dublin to Enniscorthy, warning them not to mention home troubles. She recalls her night with Jim in Dublin. Rosella learns from Mrs. Lacey about the pregnancy. Eilis tries to phone Jim but cannot. She imagines a life with him but fears losing her children.

Jim meets Gerard to arrange his takeover of the chip shop. He insists the engagement remain private. Jim fantasizes about a move to New York with Eilis, but he recognizes his irrationality. Nancy shares her plans for their future bungalow. Jim sees Eilis’s son Larry in the pub, which disturbs him.

Nancy views a building site with estate agent Oliver Rossiter and, after revealing her plans to marry Jim, the owner halves the price. Nancy shows Jim the site; he walks it thoughtfully. She begins envisioning a dream home.

Mrs. Lacey gathers the family for her eightieth birthday mass. Jack Lacey offers to buy Eilis a house if she leaves Tony. Eilis intercepts a letter from Tony containing a photo of him holding their newborn daughter, Helen Frances. Shaken, she arranges to meet Jim at Martin’s house in Cush.

After spending the night together, Eilis and Jim walk on the strand. Eilis reveals she has decided to leave Tony because he had a baby with another woman. She plans to return to Long Island, buy a house, and settle her children. Jim refuses to wait and insists on moving to New York immediately. They agree on a cover story. Jim asks if she loves him; she confirms she does.

Nancy learns from Larry that Eilis is alone at Cush. She drives there, finds both cars, and watches Jim and Eilis kiss. She returns home, forces on her old engagement ring, and announces her engagement to Jim at Mrs. Lacey’s house.

Eilis learns her mother has purchased a ticket to America and changed Eilis’s flight. Mrs. Lacey also intercepted a letter and uses it as leverage. She then announces Nancy’s engagement to Jim. Eilis tries repeatedly to call Jim but fails. Mrs. Lacey reveals she knew about Jim’s secret affair. Eilis decides to confront Jim.

Jim returns from Cush determined to leave for Eilis, but Nancy’s false engagement traps him. Eilis confronts him; he admits his history with Nancy and asks if she would welcome him in New York. Eilis remains silent and leaves. Jim endures a mock celebration in the bar and waits for Nancy at midnight.

Part Three: About the Author and End Ads (Chapters 25–26)

Chapter 25 is an author biography of Colm Tóibín, born 1955, author of ten novels, shortlisted for the Booker Prize three times, winner of the David Cohen Prize. Chapter 26 contains acknowledgements, copyright, and publication details; no story events occur.

Main Characters

  • Eilis Lacey – Irish immigrant in her forties, married to Tony Fiorello; must decide how to respond to her husband’s infidelity.
  • Tony Fiorello – Eilis’s Italian American husband whose affair disrupts the family.
  • Jim Farrell – Eilis’s former lover, now a pub owner and secret partner to Nancy Sheridan.
  • Nancy Sheridan – A widow planning to marry Jim; her discovery of his secret meeting with Eilis leads to a false engagement.
  • Francesca Fiorello – Tony’s mother who takes control by offering to adopt the baby.
  • Mrs. Lacey – Eilis’s elderly mother who manipulates family affairs.

Themes

Symbols

  • The Unfenced Lawn – The shared lawn between the family homes symbolizes the lack of boundaries and intrusion into Eilis’s private life.
  • The Strand – The beach at Cush where Eilis and Jim meet represents a liminal space between past and future, Ireland and America.
  • Photographs – Eilis takes photos to document and distance herself, reflecting her desire to control memory and narrative.
  • The Baby – Tony’s unborn child is the plot’s catalyst, representing betrayal, unwanted obligation, and potential new beginnings.

Ending Overview

The novel’s conclusion centres on a standoff in Enniscorthy. Jim returns from Cush determined to leave for Eilis, but Nancy announces a false engagement to him, forcing him into a social trap. Eilis confronts Jim; he admits his history with Nancy and asks if she would welcome him in New York. Eilis remains silent and leaves. Jim then endures a mock celebration in the bar and waits for Nancy at midnight, leaving him caught between two futures. Eilis is left with her flight to America and her mother’s manipulations, her own future unresolved. For a deeper analysis, see the ending explained.

Chapter-by-Chapter Table

Chapter Title (if given) Key Event
1 About Long Island An Irishman arrives at Eilis’s door claiming his wife is pregnant by Tony.
2 i The Irishman threatens to leave the baby; Eilis silently accuses Tony.
3 ii Eilis buys a car and takes an accounting job at Mr. Dakessian’s garage.
4 iii Eilis confronts Tony; Francesca plans to adopt the baby.
5 iv Eilis challenges the Fiorello family at Sunday lunch; Francesca suggests she stop attending.
6 v Eilis announces she is going to Ireland; the children decide to go with her.
7 i Nancy and Jim’s secret affair is revealed; Eilis visits.
8 ii Eilis and her mother clash over appliances; Eilis avoids Jim.
9 iii Jim recalls Eilis’s departure and considers marrying Nancy.
10 i Nancy buys a wedding dress and dreams of a Rome wedding.
11 ii Eilis swims at Cush and meets Jim on the strand.
12 iii Jim and Nancy drive to Dublin; Jim meets Eilis on the strand.
13 i At Miriam’s wedding, Nancy discovers Jim was in Cush.
14 ii Jim and Eilis meet at a coffee shop and agree to see each other again.
15 iii Jim proposes a Dublin hotel meeting; Eilis says she will consider it.
16 i Nancy arranges a Rome wedding and grows suspicious of Jim.
17 ii Eilis’s children arrive; Rosella learns about the pregnancy.
18 iii Jim plans the chip shop takeover and fantasizes about New York.
19 i Nancy negotiates a building site for her dream home.
20 ii Eilis’s mother’s birthday mass; Tony sends a photo of the newborn.
21 iii Eilis and Jim sleep together; she decides to leave Tony.
22 i Nancy sees Jim and Eilis kissing and announces a false engagement.
23 ii Mrs. Lacey manipulates Eilis’s flight and reveals Nancy’s engagement.
24 iii Jim is trapped by Nancy’s engagement; Eilis confronts him.
25 About Colm Tóibín Author biography.
26 End Ads Acknowledgements and publication details.

Common Questions and Answers

1. Does Eilis leave Tony?

Eilis decides to leave Tony after learning he fathered a child with another woman. She plans to buy her own house and settle her children, but the novel ends before she executes her plan.

2. Does Eilis end up with Jim?

Jim offers to move to New York for Eilis, but after Nancy announces a false engagement, Jim is trapped. Eilis leaves him without a clear answer, leaving their future uncertain.

3. What is the significance of the baby?

The baby represents Tony’s betrayal and Eilis’s loss of control. It also symbolizes unwanted obligation and the potential for new beginnings, as Francesca adopts it.

4. How does the novel relate to Brooklyn?

Long Island is a direct sequel set twenty years after Brooklyn, showing Eilis married to Tony and dealing with the consequences of the secrets she kept.

5. Why does Eilis go to Ireland?

She flees the situation with the baby and her husband’s infidelity, seeking escape and reconnection with her past. The trip also lets her bring her children to meet their grandmother.

6. What is the role of Francesca Fiorello?

Tony’s mother takes control by deciding to adopt the baby without consulting Eilis, embodying the theme of family loyalty and obligation overriding individual wishes.

7. What are the main themes?

Infidelity and betrayal, immigration and displacement, family loyalty and obligation, secrecy and identity, and independence and agency.

8. How does the novel end?

The novel ends with Jim waiting for Nancy after the false engagement announcement, and Eilis silent about his offer to move to New York. The future of all characters remains unresolved, emphasizing the theme of uncertainty.

Further Reading