Colm Tóibín Reads “Five Bridges”

Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace" is a short story exploring themes of ambition, social class, and the consequences of one's actions. The story follows Mathilde Loisel, a woman who borrows a valuable necklace and loses it, leading to a series of unfortunate events. Maupassant's masterful storytelling and ironic twist make the story a classic of French literature. The story's exploration of human nature and the impact of social pressures continues to resonate with readers. The story's ending is particularly memorable for its unexpected and poignant twist.

The Magicians follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant but miserable high school student who is secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels about a magical land called Fillory. Quentin is unexpectedly admitted to Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, where he receives a rigorous education in modern sorcery. However, he soon discovers that magic does not bring him the happiness and adventure he dreamed of. After graduation, Quentin and his friends make a stunning discovery that Fillory is real, but it turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than imagined. The novel explores themes of growing up, the complexities of human emotions, and the true cost of power.

The novel tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman from small-town Ireland who, in the hard years following World War II, leaves her fragile mother and charismatic sister behind to start a new life in Brooklyn. Sponsored by an Irish priest, Eilis finds work in a department store and begins evening classes in bookkeeping. She faces homesickness and culture shock but eventually finds love with Tony, an Italian-American. However, devastating news from Ireland forces her to make a critical decision between her old and new lives. The book is a quiet tour de force, exploring themes of self-determination, love, and the complexities of immigrant life.