# A Long Winter by Colm Tóibín

A Long Winter by Colm Tóibín is a short literary novel about a son and father facing a mother’s disappearance in a remote Pyrenean village. Its 144-page length and themes of loss, loneliness and survival may suit readers looking for a compact, character-focused story.

- [Original product page](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/product/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [View offer](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 8.68 GBP
- Previous price: 12.99 GBP
- Discount: 33%
- Price checked: 2026-11-12T15:51:50.702Z
- Rating: 4 / 5
- Reviews: 983

Prices and deal status are the latest recorded data, not a guarantee of availability. Confirm the price and availability with the store.

## At a glance

- Centres on Miquel and his father after Miquel’s mother disappears from their home in the Pyrenees.
- Explores family resentment, loneliness, stoicism, survival and the possibility of new love.
- A 144-page edition for readers seeking a relatively short novel.

## Pros

- The concise 144-page length makes this a shorter read than a full-length novel.
- The premise brings family conflict and a remote winter setting together, with a new character arriving to help in the household.

## Specifications

### Book details
- Publisher: Picador
- Publication date: 4 Sept. 2025
- Edition: Main Market
- Language: English
- Print length: 144 pages
- Reading age: 18 years and up
- ISBN-10: 1035079844
- ISBN-13: 978-1035079841
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 196 g
- Dimensions: 13.8 x 1.8 x 17.6 cm

## A good fit for

- Readers of literary fiction focused on family relationships and emotional change.
- Readers looking for a short novel about loss, isolation and survival.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking a light or plot-driven adventure, as the description foregrounds loss, loneliness and family tensions.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback describes the book as compelling, with an engaging narrative, and mentions its portrayal of stoicism and loneliness. Value for money receives mixed reactions. The reported response to the story may matter more than the modest 144-page length for readers choosing a short literary novel, while the split on value means price appeal is personal. Aggregate ratings are broadly favourable but include a substantial middle range and some lower ratings, so they do not establish a uniform response.
- Positive themes: Customers describe the book as compelling and its narrative as engaging.
- Positive themes: Feedback highlights its portrayal of stoicism and loneliness.
- Mixed feedback: Customers express mixed views on value for money.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is A Long Winter about?
After Miquel’s mother leaves home and does not return, he and his father face a harsh winter together. An orphaned servant boy arrives to help, while Miquel searches for his mother and confronts her absence.
### How long is this edition?
The listing gives a print length of 144 pages.
### Who might enjoy this book?
It may appeal to readers interested in literary fiction about family bonds, loss, loneliness and the possibility of a different life.

## Alternative options

- [Yule: Origins, Lore, Winter Solstice Traditions, and Flexible Wiccan Rituals for Solitary Practice, Couples, Families, and Covens \(Thresholds of the Wheel Series\)](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [Peck & Peck: The irresistible new novel from the author of global bestseller LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [The Wedding People: The hilarious and moving million-copy bestseller](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [My Friends: Over a quarter of a million copies sold\! 'Simply wonderful' \(Chris Whitaker\)](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [A Little Life: The Million-Copy Bestseller](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [The Nightingale : The Multimillion Copy Bestseller from the author of The Women](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [The Marriage Portrait: the Instant Sunday Times Bestseller, Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [Brooklyn: The iconic prequel to Long Island, a 'masterwork' Sunday Times \(Eilis Lacey, 1\)](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [Land: The instant Sunday Times no. 1 bestseller from the author of Hamnet](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [The Predicament: The thrilling Sunday Times bestseller from the author of Gabriel's Moon](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [The Magician: The epic historical novel about unrequited love, war and family from the Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Brooklyn](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)
- [Flashlight: Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)

## Add-ons

- [The Bridge: The stunning new short novel from the bestselling author of Long Island](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-long-winter-colm-toibin)

## Images

![A Long Winter by Colm Tóibín — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/umnwa6QVLHoCdcdYZroUYsU6mbyULDqjzCo9ZKRyhA12Bz-0y19j8sdR1UqKteM4SaHAWaH_5MUWLsn5ID6vvNAjbueiXqjqg_GLhYR_cRauNcaqUr5D.jpg)