Top 9 Colm Tóibín Books

Charles Mccullough
8 min readJul 13, 2024

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Welcome to our roundup of Colm Toibin’s literary works. Delve into the world of this acclaimed author as we introduce you to some of his most notable books and offer insights into his unique storytelling style. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to his novels, we hope to spark your interest and provide you with a comprehensive overview of Colm Toibin’s literary contributions.

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1. Brooklyn

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“Brooklyn” by Colm Tóibín is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning novel, exploring the devastating emotional power of circumstance and personal choices. In a time when many young Irish people struggle to find work at home, Eilis Lacey is one of them who receives a job offer in America and has no choice but to leave her family and country.

Eilis journeys to an unfamiliar Brooklyn, where she faces isolation and emotional turmoil. Yet as she adjusts to her new life, she starts to find happiness in the simplest of rhythms. However, tragedy strikes, and Eilis must return to Ireland, only to face an impossible decision.

“Brooklyn” is a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and personal growth, masterfully written by Colm Tóibín. This novel, longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and winner of the Costa Novel Award, immerses readers in Eilis’s world and her quest to find where she truly belongs.

  • Authors: Colm Toibin
  • Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
  • Published Date: April 06, 2010
  • Page Count: 274.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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2. The Sense of an Ending

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The Sense of an Ending is a mesmerizing novel that explores the power of the past and the depths of human relationships. This captivating story follows a middle-aged man, Tony Webster, who is forced to confront the shadows of his childhood when his estranged friends return.

As Tony grapples with a mysterious legacy and his own self-perception, he is drawn into a complex web of emotions and memories. Julian Barnes masterfully captures the intricacies of human nature, creating a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging. With just 158 pages, The Sense of an Ending is a stunning achievement in Barnes’s oeuvre and a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

  • Authors: Julian Barnes
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published Date: October 05, 2011
  • Page Count: 158.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Average Rating: 3.0
  • Ratings Count: 240.0
  • Maturity Rating: MATURE
  • Language: en

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3. In the Night of Time

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A Novel

In the Night of Time is a mesmerizing novel by renowned Spanish author Antonio Muñoz Molina, set in the tumultuous backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. The story follows Ignacio Abel, an architect escaping the horrors of war, as he retraces his journey from Madrid to New York, reflecting on his past and his transformation from humble beginnings to a respected bourgeois husband. A powerful portrayal of a fragmented society, this epic novel, hailed as the ‘War and Peace for the Spanish Civil War’, masterfully weaves together themes of love, war, identity, and self-discovery.

In the Night of Time is a riveting exploration of the human condition, earning critical acclaim from The Washington Post, The Economist, and Entertainment Weekly.

  • Authors: Antonio Muñoz Molina
  • Publisher: HMH
  • Published Date: December 03, 2013
  • Page Count: 657.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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4. Nora Webster

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A Novel

Nora Webster, a luminous novel by critically acclaimed and beloved author Colm Toibin, follows the captivating journey of a young widow navigating the complex terrain of grief, fear, and longing to find her voice. Set against the backdrop of Wexford, Ireland, this masterful seventh novel introduces the unforgettable Nora Webster, a woman facing the immense loss of her beloved husband, Maurice, and struggling to maintain her independence and dignity as a widow with four children. As Nora confronts her heartache and confronts the challenges of her community, she discovers the power of music in healing, self-expression, and finally, self-acceptance.

A poignant and stunning exploration of emotions, this novel is a testament to the artistry and dexterity of its author.

  • Authors: Colm Toibin
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published Date: October 07, 2014
  • Page Count: 400.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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5. Purity

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A Novel

Purity, a novel by acclaimed author Jonathan Franzen, follows Pip Tyler, a young woman in search of two vital pieces of information: her father’s identity and the secret of her mother’s life. This New York Times bestseller explores the themes of youthful idealism, extreme fidelity, and murder in a world of vividly original characters, from Californians to East Germans. As Pip embarks on an internship with The Sunlight Project and crosses paths with charismatic provocateur Andreas Wolf, the boundaries between right and wrong become blurred and daring paths unfold.

An enthralling tale of love, secrets, and identity, Purity is a testament to Franzen’s mastery of contemporary fiction.

  • Authors: Jonathan Franzen
  • Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  • Published Date: September 01, 2015
  • Page Count: 576.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Average Rating: 2.5
  • Ratings Count: 2.0
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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6. The North Water

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A Novel

Brace yourself for a gripping narrative of survival with a chill of the dark arctic! “The North Water, “ a novel by Ian McGuire, is a brilliantly crafted tale set on a Yorkshire whaler bound for the vast, icy waters of the arctic circle. The novel weaves together the stories of Henry Drax, a ruthless harpooner, and Patrick Sumner, an ex-army surgeon turned ship’s medic, as they face the unforgiving and dangerous conditions of their unforgettable journey. A suspenseful encounter on the Volunteer reveals an evil lurking beneath the surface, igniting a confrontation between Drax and Sumner. As they brave the harsh arctic winter, the inevitable question arises: who among them will still be alive come spring?

“The North Water” is a thought-provoking exploration of human nature’s darkest side, set against the raw beauty and harshest elements of the world’s remotest regions. Don’t miss your chance to delve into this thrilling, award-winning novel and experience the unforgettable story of survival that awaits you within the pages.

  • Authors: Ian McGuire
  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Published Date: March 15, 2016
  • Page Count: 270.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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7. House of Names

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A Novel

Experience an unforgettable retelling of the classical Greek tale of Clytemnestra and her children in Colm Tóibín’s spellbinding novel, House of Names. Delve into the tumultuous world of ancient Mycenae as Clytemnestra narrates her own life, caught between her role as queen, wife, and mother, after her husband, King Agamemnon, leaves for the Trojan War.

Tóibín masterfully weaves a tale of love, betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, all set against the backdrop of epic battles and mythic heroes. This captivating novel offers a unique blend of drama, intrigue, and historical depth that will keep you spellbound from the first page to the last.

  • Authors: Colm Toibin
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published Date: May 09, 2017
  • Page Count: 288.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Average Rating: 3.0
  • Ratings Count: 2.0
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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8. Inland

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A Novel

Immerse yourself in the gritty, evocative world of Téa Obreht’s Inland. Set against the backdrop of the Arizona Territory in 1893, this mesmerizing novel follows the lives of two extraordinary individuals: Nora, a resilient frontierswoman, and Lurie, a tormented man plagued by the eerie presence of lost souls.

Inland masterfully weaves together the enchanting and haunting tales of these two compelling characters. Nora’s unwavering strength and resolve shine through as she faces the abandons of the past, while Lurie navigates a new form of danger: the presence of restless spirits.

As their stories intertwine, the suspense builds in this brilliant novel. Inland is a vibrant, evocative debut that captures the essence of the frontier wilderness and the mysterious forces that lurk beneath. With its atmospheric prose and unforgettable characters, Inland is sure to enthrall and captivate readers from page one.

  • Authors: Téa Obreht
  • Published Date: April 16, 2019
  • Page Count: 386.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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9. The Catholic School

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A Novel

Experience a gripping, semiautobiographical tale that explores the complexities of modern Italy in Edoardo Albinati’s award-winning novel, The Catholic School. Set against the backdrop of the shocking 1975 Circeo massacre, three privileged young men from Rome’s elite all-boys Catholic high school, San Leone Magno, brutally murdered two innocent women. This terrifying event exposed the dark side of the upper middle class, as societal norms and the role of family and religion began to unravel.

The Catholic School masterfully weaves together personal experiences, coming-of-age narratives, and true-crime stories to create a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of contemporary Italy. Through indelible portraits of teachers and classmates, including the captivating Arbus, the literature teacher Cosmos, and the enigmatic fascist friend Max, Albinati delves into the intricacies of relationships, abuse, and the Italian bourgeoisie.

As Albinati skillfully balances the legacies of the past with the complexities of the present, The Catholic School forces readers to grapple with the interconnected themes of sex, violence, and masculinity. This novel, a winner of Italy’s most prestigious award, The Strega Prize, is a poignant and powerful must-read that provides an unforgettable glimpse into the heart and soul of contemporary Italy.

  • Authors: Edoardo Albinati
  • Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  • Published Date: August 13, 2019
  • Page Count: 1280.0
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Fiction
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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