Colum McCann Does It Again

If you have read Let the Great World Spin, you know exactly what I am talking about.  McCann's ambitious 2009 title won the National Book Award for Fiction and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.  The wait for his follow-up to that classic is finally over.  TransAtlantic is set for an early June release and I can assure you that it is every bit as good as its predecessor.

The story focuses on three different events: the transatlantic flight of Jack Alcock and Arthur Brown, Frederick Douglass traveling to Ireland for a series of lectures, and Senator George Mitchell also going across to attempt to move along the Northern Ireland peace talks.  Witnessing these events are four generations of women, beginning with housemaid Lily Duggan.  She is influenced by meeting Douglass and makes a decision that has a profound effect on her later generations.  Her daughter Emily, granddaughter Lottie, and great-granddaughter Hannah are each affected by Lily's decision and the later events of Alcock/Brown and Mitchell. 

The way McCann can create such interesting characters and weave a tale around three vastly events shows why he is such a talented writer.  From the first page until the final heartfelt moment, you will not want to put this one down.

Chris May- Head of Adult Services