Colum McCann

Stitching realistic fiction to historic fact McCann creates a vibrant narrative of intimate beauty. Like many of the characters, my father traveled from Northern Ireland to Canada, so their stories touch my own. But the universal qualities of surprise connection, stumbling through life in survival mode, striving for freedom, or shaping it from shreds of loss and betrayal invite any reader into the saga.

My heart pounded as if in the open cockpit in an early description of flight. Mid-way through my attention flagged but I re-engaged as the narrative loop swung round and I began to see the intersection of stories. Along with the sensuous (full of the senses) fabric of the work, it is the small cast of ordinary (but extraordinary) women, all related, that made this such a satisfying read.… (mais)