Long Island, by Colm Toibin

 

United States – Long Island

Ireland - Enniscorthy

Eilis Fiorello Tony – husband Larry Rosella – headed to law school   Francesca – Tony’s mother Mauro – father   Enzo – brother Lena – wife   Mauro – brother Clara – wife   Frank – youngest brother, lawyer   Mr. Dakessian – owns garage, Armenian Erik – son Lusin – daughter   Irish man at door – wife pregnant by Tony, baby will be dropped off when born, to be adopted by Francesca, named Helen Frances

Jim Farrell – bar, dated Eilis before Nancy   Nancy Sheridan – chip shop Husband - deceased Miriam – daughter, getting married Gerard – son Laura – daughter, law school   Matt – Miriam’s fiancé Mrs. Wadding - mother   Eilis Mother Martin – brother Jack – brother, son Dominick Pat – brother, son Aidan Rose – sister who died 20 years ago   Jim’s bar: Shane Nolan – bartender Andy – bartender, brought sports oriented friends to bar Colette – Shane’s wife

 

For Discussion:

1.      Do you think Eilis would consider leaving Tony if the baby had not happened?

2.      What did Eilis think would happen when she shows up after 20 years and wants to totally change her mother’s house?  Why could she not see things from her mother’s perspective?

3.      Also, her mother decided to go home with Eilis and went so far as to look into airplane tickets without saying anything to Eilis. Why would she do this? Why was there a lack of communication in the family?

4.      Why did Eilis’ mother only display photos of her local grandchildren?   She had Larry and Rosella’s photos carefully preserved.

5.      Did you understand how Eilis always felt like an outsider in Long Island?   Have you ever experienced that feeling?  Should Tony and his family have seen that?  What could they have done to make her feel more a part of the family?

6.      Why did Eilis keep her two lives totally separate?   Tony knew nothing about Jim and vice versa. 

7.      Twenty years ago, when she first visited, why did she just leave without telling everything to Jim? 

8.      How would Eilis’ story be different if she and Tony and the rest of his family had not lived in their own little enclave?

9.      What do you think happens after the novel ends?