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This is a sequel to the authors previous book, “Brooklyn,�� and maybe even a companion to his book, “Nora Webster,�� but it doesn’t fully read like one. In other words, I didn’t realize that Eilis’s story began in “Brooklyn,�� until I was mid-way through the story. Or, the story of Eilis�� mother, Mrs. Lacey from ‘Nora Webster�� would come up again here. Which meant, that if you read ‘Brooklyn�� by the author years ago, or hadn’t read ‘Brooklyn,�� or even ‘Nora Webster�� you aren’t going to feel fully lost by reading ‘Long Island.�� The author gives us a sense of both of their past history, so we can follow along on this journey.

And, when it had to do with Eilis, I found myself most engaged in the storyline. She (to me) was the most interesting and vivid character of all of them. I liked the way she stands up for what she believes in and what she chooses for her destiny.

Because living in the time she is, there are many social norms and family expectations, and constraints.

What her husband chooses to do, and his family’s response to it, and her response gives readers an opportunity to choose sides. (At least, that is how I felt.) And, join her as she explores finding her past and reconnecting with her mother, in Ireland. And, perhaps something she left behind in Ireland (first love?) that may deserve a second chance.

The problem for me was that “Brooklyn�� and “Nora Webster�� were so far in the distance, and the character list was so long, that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone at times. So much plot and incidents and twists and declarations, that I found myself feeling a bit frustrated by it all. I preferred the scenes with Eilis and just wanted to find out what she was going to decide for herself.

The book is a slow build that picks up at the end, where sometimes characters are left with unanswered questions.

Still, the question will be, do we as readers find satisfaction by the time we reach the end of this story? Or, will the same thing happen to us �� unanswered questions?