The Empty Family by Colm Tóibín
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: January 2011
Categories: Literary, Short Stories
Source: Library
Description:
Colm Tóibín’s exquisitely written new stories, set in present-day Ireland, 1970s Spain and nineteenth century England, are about people linked by love, loneliness and desire. Tóibín is a master at portraying mute emotion, intense intimacies that remain unacknowledged or unspoken. In this stunning collection, he cements his status as “his generation’s most gifted writer of love’s complicated, contradictory power” (Los Angeles Times).
“Silence” is a brilliant historical set piece about Lady Gregory, widowed and abandoned by her lover, who tells the writer Henry James a confessional story at a dinner party. In “Two Women,” an eminent Irish set designer, aloof and prickly, takes a job in her homeland, and is forced to confront devastating emotions she has long repressed. “The New Spain” is the story of an intransigent woman who returns home after a decade in exile and shatters the fragile peace her family has forged in the post-Franco world. And in the breathtaking long story “The Street,” Tóibín imagines a startling relationship between two Pakistani workers in Barcelona—a taboo affair in a community ruled by obedience and silence.
Tóibín’s characters are often difficult and combative, compelled to disguise their vulnerability and longings. Yet he unmasks them, and in doing so offers us a set of extraordinarily moving stories that remind us of the fragility and individuality of human life. As The New York Review of Books has said, Tóibín “understands the tenuousness of love and comfort—and, after everything, its necessity.”
This book has been out for quite a while but it escaped my notice until I was looking for reading material for The Literary Others LGBT Reading Event. A big thanks to Adam @ Roof Beam Reader for inspiring me to look for books out of my normal reading range! 
The Relentless Reader 
I, on the other hand, really enjoy short stories, so I definitely want this one. Lovely cover on it, too. So glad it kept you awake through Readathon! That is quite a task. 🙂
LikeLike
I'm also not always a short story fan, because I feel like I miss out on what I love, but a good short story collection can be amazing to read! I have to catch up on all of your other posts from when I was away!!!! 🙂
LikeLike
This sounds really interesting. I need to read more short stories, and this sounds like a great choice for The Literary Others Event. I'll have to put it on my TBR list!
LikeLike
I've heard Toibin is an excellent author – but I didn't love this book (and I do like short stories). I think I called them the \”boring\” family stories … but I did like his writing style.
LikeLike
If you're a fan of short stories then I think you'll really dig this book! I think so too, and it was during hours 21/22..zzzz time, lol
LikeLike
Good luck Rebecca, I think I was pretty chatty this week, lol. Welcome home by the way!
LikeLike
I think short stories are great for Readathon time too, this was the only one I read that day but I'll be finding more to read next time around.
LikeLike
LOL, nice alternative title Tanya!
LikeLike
I don't usually read short stories but I'm fascinated by the variety of settings in this collection.
LikeLike
I read Tóibín's \”Brooklyn\” a couple of years ago and remember being lukewarm about it—I thought it was beautifully written but the story and characters were a bit on the bland side for me. But I did like the writing enough that I would consider giving another Tóibín book a chance.
LikeLike
Normally I'm not really a fan either Joy. Or maybe I should say that I don't normally seek out short stories. I liked this collection though 🙂
LikeLike
I've been thinking about picking up Brooklyn myself. I might give it a try one of these days. My tbr pile has gotten ridiculous in the last few weeks. RIDICULOUS I tell you 😉
LikeLike
I can't help but feel I've read about Henry James being at functions in various books. Was he really just everywhere… The fact it kept you awake does recommend it a great deal. I know what you mean about short stories running in together.
LikeLike
I think he must have been! He's mentioned in more than one of these short stories. Busy fella!
LikeLike
This sounds beautiful. This is the first time I've heard of this book or author, but I find short stories great when I know I don't have the time or energy to get through a whole novel. I picked up a short story collection recently, although unintentionally. I'm finishing The Imperfectionists, which is a book of linked stories about the staff members of an English newspaper in Rome.
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by the author.
LikeLike
i struggle with short stories. Mostly because I never think to read them!
LikeLike
I am also not a fan of short stories, but some collections just grab the reader and don't let go. This sounds like one of them. Great review.
LikeLike
Short stories are ok with me, but if each and every one of them touches you so deeply… I can imagine that reading them in succession can be quite exhausting! Perhaps they'd worked better as separate novellas?
LikeLike
I actually like to read short stories, but it really sucks when a book leaves you exhausted! Glad to know you participated in the LGBT Reading Event. I just read and reviewed my last read. Happy reading! Sarika @ The Readdicts
LikeLike