In 'Long Island,' one woman returns to Ireland after discovering her husband's affair
In this episode from NPR's Book of the Day, author Colm Tóibín shares insights into his creative process for writing "Long Island," a sequel to his novel "Brooklyn." He reveals the unexpected inspiration that compelled him to revisit the protagonist Eilish Lacy years later—the idea of disrupting her stable life with a crisis that challenges her identity as an Irish immigrant in America.
Tóibín delves into Eilish's emotional journey as she navigates this upheaval, drawing from personal memories to vividly depict her conflicted sense of belonging. Through Eilish's experiences revisiting her Irish hometown and addressing her mother's home, the episode explores the complexities of living between two worlds as an immigrant.
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1-Page Summary
Creative Process and Decision-Making Behind Writing a Sequel
Colm Tóibín reveals his unexpected inspiration for writing "Long Island," a sequel to his novel "Brooklyn" that explores protagonist Eilish Lacy's evolved narrative.
Years Later, A New Idea for Eilish
Though typically averse to sequels, Tóibín says a new concept for Eilish compelled him to revisit her story years after "Brooklyn." The spark was the idea of placing Eilish in a crisis that would dramatically disrupt her stability.
An Unforeseen Conflict
"Long Island" brings a poignant conflict that not only threatens Eilish's married life but challenges her identity in America. A stranger accuses Eilish's husband of having an affair and threatens to leave his child with her, rocking Eilish's domestic foundation.
Restraining Emotions Revealed Deeper Character
Tóibín explores Eilish's navigation of this "pure terror" through her subdued reaction, writes Tóibín. Her emotional restraint creates tension and allows deeper insights into her internal turmoil as an immigrant.
Eilish: Irish Immigrant Revisiting Ireland
Tóibín delves into Eilish's transformation as an Irish immigrant in America, and her subsequent return to Ireland, which marks her as an outsider despite her unawareness.
American Sensibilities Make Her an Outsider
Upon revisiting Ireland, Eilish's American mannerisms and cosmopolitan sensibilities make her a foreigner in her hometown, despite her obliviousness to these changes, writes Tóibín.
Addressing Her Mother's Home
Tóibín draws from memories to depict Eilish's efforts to address issues in her mother's home, highlighting the clash between her Irish roots and American values she's absorbed.
Personal Connections & Vivid Setting
Tóibín vividly depicts Enniscorthy's familiar streets and landmarks, weaving in autobiographical elements from his childhood that shape Eilish's conflicted dual identities and emotions of living between worlds.
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Actionables
- Explore your own narrative evolution by journaling significant life changes each year. Reflect on how your perspectives and attitudes have shifted, much like Eilish Lacy's character development. This can help you understand your personal growth and how external events have shaped your identity.
- Create a photo essay capturing the essence of your hometown or a place that has significantly influenced you. Like Tóibín's vivid depiction of Enniscorthy, use images to express the emotional and cultural impact of the place on your life, which can foster a deeper connection to your roots and identity.
- Engage in role-reversal exercises with a friend or family member to gain insight into the immigrant experience. Take turns sharing stories from the perspective of someone living in a foreign culture, focusing on emotional restraint and adaptation, to develop empathy and a better understanding of the complexities of assimilation and identity.
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Creative Process and Decision-Making Behind Writing a Sequel
Renowned author Colm Tóibín reveals the unexpected journey that led him to write a sequel to his novel "Brooklyn," focusing on protagonist Eilish Lacy’s evolved narrative.
Years After Brooklyn, Tóibín Explores a New Idea for Eilish Lacy Without a Plan
Tóibín had long avoided the idea of revisiting the character of Eilish Lacy. A decade passed since "Brooklyn" was published, but an unforeseen spark of inspiration led him to reconsider Eilish's story. He found himself compelled by a new concept that re-engaged him with his character's life.
Despite His Aversion to Sequels, Tóibín Was Compelled to Write Long Island Once the Seed Took Root In His Imagination
Though typically averse to writing sequels, Tóibín was stirred by a fresh conflict that would interrupt Eilish La ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Creative Process and Decision-Making Behind Writing a Sequel
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your past creative projects to find inspiration for new work by revisiting old notebooks, sketches, or writings and identifying elements that now spark new ideas or perspectives.
- When you look back at your previous work, you might discover a character, a theme, or a concept that you had set aside but now feels ripe for expansion. For example, if you once wrote a short story, consider how the protagonist's life might have evolved ten years later and start outlining a sequel or a new narrative thread.
- Write a short story or personal essay that introduces a sudden conflict, challenging you to develop complex responses for your characters or reflections for yourself.
- By placing your characters or a representation of yourself in a situation of "pure terror" or crisis, you force growth and depth in your storytelling. For instance, if you're writing about a day in your life, introduce an unexpected event, like receiving a mysterious letter or encountering a natural disaster, and detail how you or your character would navigate this disruption.
- Use journaling to explore ...
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Central Conflict and Character Arc of Eilish Lacy
"Long Island" brings a poignant conflict to the doorstep of Eilish Lacy that not only threatens her domestic stability but also challenges her identity in America.
Stranger Accuses Eilish's Husband of Affair, Threatens to Leave Child At Her Door
Crisis Challenges Eilish's Domestic Stability and Identity in America
Eilish Lacy’s life is thrown into disarray when a stranger accuses her husband of having an affair and threatens to leave their child with her. This crisis rocks the foundation of her married life, especially considering her struggle to establish her identity in a new country.
Exploring Eilish's Navigation of "Pure Terror"
Restraining Eilish's Emotions Created Tension and Revealed Deeper Insights
Author Tóibín delves into Eilish's character by encapsulating her experience through a moment of sheer dread, which he describes as "pure terror." The narrative focuses on Ei ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Central Conflict and Character Arc of Eilish Lacy
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Reflect on your own reactions to unexpected challenges by journaling about a recent stressful event and how you responded. Write down your immediate emotions, thoughts, and actions. This exercise can help you understand your instinctive responses and identify areas where you might want to react differently in the future.
- Practice controlled responses in role-play scenarios with a friend or family member. Take turns confronting each other with a difficult situation, like an accusation or a personal attack, and work on responding calmly and thoughtfully. This can help you prepare for real-life conflicts and improve your emotional regulation.
- Create a personal identity map to explore your values, beliefs, and the aspects of y ...
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Eilish: Irish Immigrant in America and Return To Ireland
Eilish's journey from Ireland to America and her eventual return has shaped not only her identity but also her perception of belonging and transformation as observed by others through Tóibín’s reflective narrative.
Eilish Returns to Her Irish Hometown, Navigating Identity and Belonging As a Changed Outsider From America
Upon returning to Ireland after many years in America, Eilish doesn't realize the extent to which she has changed. Her American mannerisms and cosmopolitan sensibilities stand out, marking her as a foreigner in her own hometown.
Eilish's American Mannerisms and Cosmopolitan Sensibilities Mark Her As a Foreigner in Her Hometown, Despite Her Unawareness Of Being Transformed by Her Immigrant Experience
Tóibín notes that while Eilish does not consciously think of her transformation, to the locals, her articulate style and the actions that come from her American experiences—such as buying white goods for her mother—clearly set her apart. Eilish’s way of moving and even the quality of her clothing suggest to her old friends and neighbors that she may be foreign, despite her unawareness of these changes.
Tóibín's Personal Memories of Ireland Shape Eilish's Changed Perspective Upon Returning
Eilish's Efforts to Add ...
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Eilish: Irish Immigrant in America and Return To Ireland
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore your cultural identity by creating a visual timeline of your life's milestones, including moves between cities or countries, to reflect on how these events have shaped you. Use a simple drawing app or paper and markers to map out the key moments in your life, noting how each has influenced your sense of belonging and identity. For example, if you moved from a rural area to a big city, consider how urban living has changed your behavior and outlook.
- Identify and embrace the subtle shifts in your behavior and appearance that reflect cultural influences by keeping a daily journal. Write down any comments from friends or family about changes they notice in you, and reflect on these observations to understand how your experiences have altered your mannerisms or style. For instance, if someone points out a new phrase you've picked up or a change in your fashion sense, think about where these might have originated from.
- Bridge cultural gaps by volunteering in community programs that connect your he ...
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Tóibín's Connections to the Setting and Themes
Tóibín Vividly Depicts Enniscorthy's Streets, Landmarks, and Social Dynamics Familiar to Eilish
Drawing upon his childhood memories from 1976, Tóibín vividly recalls and incorporates the streets, landmarks, and social dynamics of Enniscorthy into his narrative. His personal experiences breathe life into the setting, as he meticulously names shops, shop owners, and local bars, mapping out a town that is intimately familiar to Eilish, his protagonist.
Tóibín's Return to His Mother's Home and Its Impact
Autobiographical Elements Enrich Tóibín's Portrayal of Eilish's Conflicted Irish and American Identities
Tóibín's work is deeply imbued with autobiographical elements, especially through ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Tóibín's Connections to the Setting and Themes
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your own hometown's history by visiting local landmarks and documenting their stories through photography or journaling. This activity allows you to connect with your surroundings on a deeper level, similar to how a writer might draw upon personal experiences for a narrative. For example, take a photo of an old cinema and research its history, then write a short story or reflection on what that place might have meant to someone from a previous generation.
- Start a personal project where you map out your family's migration history, using online genealogy tools and public records to trace back your roots. This can help you understand the complexities of having a multicultural identity, much like a character in a novel who lives between two worlds. You might discover towns, jobs, or even family members you never knew about, which can give you a new perspective on your own identity.
- Engage in creative writing exercises where you reimagine your life if you had grown up in a ...
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