Eilis, who lives on Long Island, learns in the opening pages that her husband of over 20 years is having a baby with another woman. The woman’s husband declares that the child will be dropped off at Eilis’s home soon after its birth. Eilis confronts her husband, Tony, and says that the baby is never welcome in her house. When she learns that her mother-in-law, who lives next door will raise the child, Eilis decides she needs to get away. She goes back to Ireland to visit her mother in Ireland where she has not been for twenty years. After her arrival many old scenes play out in her head, including her relationship with the man she dated way back when.

Summarizing Long Island does not do it justice. Toibin’s novel grabbed me on page three and didn’t let go until the last page. The plot is simple and unoriginal, but it is intriguing and unique when written by Toibin. Also, no male author today knows and writes about women better than he does. Long Island is a sequel to Brooklyn, but it is not necessary to read Brooklyn to enjoy, understand and appreciate Long Island.