BROOKLYN Eilis Lacey, Book 1

Colm Tóibín's appealing 2009 novel receives an exemplary performance from Saoirse Ronan. Set in Ireland and Brooklyn in the 1950s, the story unfolds with Ronan's lilting voice and lush pronunciations allowing both Ireland and Brooklyn to become vivid locales. Ronan's sensitive delivery highlights Ellis Lacey's emotional connection to her tiny Irish village and to her mother and sister. After leaving for Brooklyn and a better life, Ellis deals with homesickness and the stresses faced by newcomers anywhere. She also finds friendship, love, and hope. Ronan's familiarity with the characters--she played Ellis in the film version--serves the audiobook well. She creates a clear-eyed, if naïve, young woman's coming of age in a postwar world. Ronan's authentic performance makes this first-rate listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]