‘A brave and remarkable novel, the impact of which no reader will shed’ Dermot Bolger, Sunday Independent
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"An impressive, beautifully modulated, affecting book."
-- Jeffrey Eugenides, author of "Middlesex"
Book Description
Richard Garay lives alone with his mother, hiding his sexuality from her and from those around him. Stifled by a job he despises, he finds himself willing to take considerable risks. Set in Argentina in a time of great change, The Story of the Night is a powerful and moving novel about a man who, as the Falklands War is fought and lost, finds his own way to emerge into the world. ‘The Story of the Night is, in the end, a love story of the most serious and difficult kind. Tóibín has told it with profound artistry and truth’ Tobias Wolff ‘Nobody before Tóibín has made such honesty stand so clearly for political and personal integrity . . . In each of his first three novels he has invented a strong central character but Garay is by far his most memorable’ Edmund White, Sunday Times ‘A remarkable achievement . . . The ease, the fluidity, the economy, the precision of Tóibín’s masterly prose make this novel sheer pleasure to read’ Norman Thomas di Giovanni, The Times
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A superb novel - the author's style is so pared-down as to be almost minimalist, but he paints vivid pictures and characters through very controlled structures. I found it to be a very erotic novel, in the deepest sense of that word's meaning, and also rather sinister. The last chapter, with its portrayal of tenderness and love, moved me to tears. Definitely not a paperback to throw away - this is one I shall keep and re-read in a year or so's time.
70 of 74 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book by chance, interested in the content and by Toibin's reputation. I never expected to be moved to tears. I read the book in three sittings, something I have never done before, simply because I could not put it down. I think I almost fell in love with Richard Garay and I have only ever once before cried when reaching the end of a novel. The subject matter in the final chapter is particularly close to my heart and I will never forget the emotional journery either in my own life or in the chacters depected here. Thank you for writing this book and portraying real gay characters, not simply laughable, camp shallow characters, and for portraying so poiniantly how two men can fall in love so deeply, the difficulties they can sometimes face coming to terms with their sexuality and the isolation that it can bring. I want to dive back into their lives and share it with them all over again. I am profoundly moved.
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I found this quite by chance and probably wouldn't have bought it if I'd been aware of the content. It deals with the coming of age of a young gay man in the Argentina of the generals in the 1980's.
From the very beginning I was absolutely gripped by Toibin's wonderfully straight-forward and honest narrative. I absolutely love the way his characters say real things, are realistically unable to express outwardly whats going on inside them, though Toibin manages to convey their inner lives to the reader. One thing I've found in all of Toibin's novels that I've subsequently read, is that its impossible to dislike ANY of his characters, because he observes them with a marvelously humane dispassion. I love this writer, he's totally incapable of writing a bad novel.
From the very beginning I was absolutely gripped by Toibin's wonderfully straight-forward and honest narrative. I absolutely love the way his characters say real things, are realistically unable to express outwardly whats going on inside them, though Toibin manages to convey their inner lives to the reader. One thing I've found in all of Toibin's novels that I've subsequently read, is that its impossible to dislike ANY of his characters, because he observes them with a marvelously humane dispassion. I love this writer, he's totally incapable of writing a bad novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Reader abandoned as writer jettisons storyline
This book gets off to a good start and tells the story of an Anglo-Argentinean teacher-turned-interpreter-spy in Buenos Aires who gets involved in political corruption under the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by John Fitzpatrick
4.0 out of 5 stars
A big sweep of history
This novel includes Argentinian military rule and disappearances, the English community within Argentina, the Falklands War, the fall of the military government and the opening up... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Emily - London
3.0 out of 5 stars
The night is blind
The first part of the novel is, by far, the best. And for several reasons. Colm Toibin is not Sam Beckett, but, the first pages of the "Story of the Night" sound like the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by french reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
AN UNEXPECTED EYE OPENER
Having previously only read 'Brooklyn'by Colm Toibin,I was a bit surprised by the intensity and subject matter of this novel. Read more
Published 10 months ago by bibliophile
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unexpected Delight
I had received this book as a gift, but had put off reading it for a number of months. I thought it looked dreary, and the synopsis sounded a bit done-to-death. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ian Stanton
3.0 out of 5 stars
A BIT DISAPPOINTING...
To be honest, i was a bit disappointing after finishing this "you must read!" or "the best read i got in the year" novel. Read more
Published 16 months ago by kase
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good Conditions, Bad Delivery
The book was perfectly fine (as described) but it took more than 10 days to arrive. Usually never gets more than 4. And it was a birthday present, to my luck.
Published 19 months ago by Wellington Almeida
2.0 out of 5 stars
Dont expect a good love story in this
Not badly written. It just didnt provoke any emotions in me. I am a love story buff, so this is a very subjective review. But I never really fathomed the plot in this. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
it arrived just fine. no problems with delays or bad condition. it was excellent. I will surely use their service again.
Published 21 months ago by Sergi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vivid images
Wow, I am impressed, what an achievement. To not only write about the trials and dilemmas of a gay man coming out and making his way in the world but to also give such a vivid... Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2011 by I. mahmood
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