zoom_in Click to enlarge

Colm Tóibín

▲ ▼

description Colm Tóibín Overview

Colm Tóibín is an Irish novelist, short story writer, and critic whose work explores Irish identity, emigration, sexuality, and personal loss. 'Brooklyn' (2009), which follows a young Irish woman who emigrates to New York in the 1950s, won the Costa Novel Award and was adapted into an acclaimed film. Other notable novels include 'The Master' (2004), a fictional portrait of Henry James, and 'The Testament of Mary' (2012). Tóibín has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize on multiple occasions.

help Colm Tóibín FAQ

What famous American author is the subject of Colm Tóibín's novel The Master?

The Master is a fictionalized biography that centers on the life of American author Henry James. The novel explores James's internal emotional life and repression during the late 19th century.

What is the plot of Colm Tóibín's acclaimed novel Brooklyn?

Brooklyn follows a young Irish woman named Eilis Lacey who emigrates from Enniscorthy to Brooklyn, New York, in the 1950s. It explores her profound struggles with severe homesickness and her eventual integration into American life.

Has Colm Tóibín won the Booker Prize?

While Colm Tóibín has been shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize multiple times, he has never won the main award. He was nominated for The Blackwater Lightship in 1999, The Master in 2004, and The Testament of Mary in 2012.

Did Colm Tóibín write the screenplay for the film adaptation of Brooklyn?

No, the screenplay for the 2015 film adaptation of Brooklyn was written by Nick Hornby. However, Tóibín remained actively involved in the production and heavily praised the film's lead actress, Saoirse Ronan.