Brooklyn

In honor of this novel's coming out in paperback today, my first post is about Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. An Irish immigrant, Eilis is young, in her early twenties, when her sister finds a job for her overseas in America. Throughout the book, she struggles to decipher the meanings of, among other things, "home" and "womanhood" as she deals with homesickness and first love.
As odd is this is going to sound, it was refreshing to see the perspective of an immigrant from post WWII era. A bildungsroman that can be appreciated by the wisdom that comes with age (and hindsight) and the search for (and confusion about) the self that is so easy for youth to identify with, Eilis's story is one that resonates--especially in women--with a range of ages. The humanity in each of Toibin's characters is easily believable, lovable, and therefore forgivable all at once.
It did take me a little while to become emotionally invested. I think because while I was reading, Eilis and I were both trying to figure out where she was and what sort of character she was at the same time. Later on, this proves to be a strong bonding element in the reader-character relationship. A sweet girl, eager to please, she was almost too sweet for me (a little boring, perhaps?) in the beginning. When conflict was introduced, she began to show her emotions more, revealing someone much more complex with more than simply new surroundings to get used to. Once I became attached to Eilis and cared about her story, it held me.
The (arguably ambiguous?) ending possibly being my favorite part, may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied or even angry, but that's what I loved about it! It begs to be discussed over coffee.
Like Eilis herself, it was a quiet, yet moving novel. Those of you who are looking for something to give to your great aunt or grandmother, Brooklyn is a good choice.
This recommendation sounds like an advertisement. I'll find my critic's voice soon enough, I promise.