The Empty Family is a collection of short stories by Irish writer Colm Tóibín. It was published in the UK in October 2010 and was released in the US in January 2011.[1]
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Colm Tóibín |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Short Story Collection |
| Publisher | Scribner |
Publication date | 1 October 2010 |
| Publication place | Ireland |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 288 pp (hardback) |
| ISBN | 978-1-4391-3832-8 |
| Preceded by | Brooklyn |
Reception
editThe Empty Family was shortlisted for the 2011 Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award.[2][3][4]
Reviews were generally positive. Culture Critic gave it an aggregated critic score of 83 percent.[5] On Bookmarks March/April 2011 issue, a magazine that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a 
(3.5 out of 5) based on critic reviews with the critical summary saying, "There are many gems in Tóibín's latest collection, but many critics thought the collection, as a whole, uneven".[6]
Bryan Lynch wrote in the Irish Independent that the "stories are always intensely interesting and sometimes profoundly provocative", noting that the sexually frank depictions required great courage.[7] Keith Miller in The Daily Telegraph described the book as an "exquisite and almost excruciating collection".[8] The Irish Times journalist Heather Ingman noted that most of Tóibín's familiar themes are present but with the addition of a "hard-won wisdom",[9] giving rich rewards to the reader. Many reviewers commented on the fact that Tóibín's prose has become ever more spare and refined, with Ingman inviting readers "to read slowly and savour the silences between the words".
References
edit- ^ The Empty Family Stories | Colm Tóibín Official Website
- ^ Cullen, Conor. "Tóibín in line for major prize" Archived 4 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Enniscorthy Guardian. 12 July 2011.
- ^ Walsh, Caroline. "Two Irish authors make awards shortlist". The Irish Times. 9 July 2011.
- ^ Flood, Alison. "Strong showing for Irish writers on Frank O'Connor shortlist". The Guardian. 9 July 2011.
- ^ "Cólm Toíbin - The Empty Family". Culture Critic. Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "The Empty Family: Stories By Colm Tóibín". Bookmarks. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ Review: The Empty Family by Colm Toibin - Books, Entertainment - Independent.ie
- ^ The Empty Family by Colm Tóibín: review - Telegraph
- ^ The Irish Times - Sat, Sep 25, 2010 - Colm Tóibín's hard-won wisdom
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