You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emmalf 's review for:
TransAtlantic
by Colum McCann
This book has been sitting on my bookshelf since it was published in 2013. Why it has taken me so long to get around to it I’m not sure, but this year I was determined I would get around to it. I’m glad I finally took the leap.
Spanning 150 years, TransAtlantic follows one family of women as they criss-cross the Atlantic during pivotal moments in the histories of Ireland and America.
There is little overarching plot beyond tracking this family of women through history. The story is presented in vignettes in which we get snapshots of the women. 1845 – 1846, the famine has arrived in Ireland as has Douglas Hyde, and we meet Lily Duggan a maid in the house in Dublin in which Hyde stays, before taking a coffin ship for what she believes will be a better life in America. 1919, Brown and Alcock are attempting the first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland. There to witness and report on the event on Lily Duggan’s daughter and granddaughter Emily and Lottie Ehrlich. 1998 and Senator George Mitchell is attempting to end the Troubles, cheered on by Lottie and her daughter Hannah. Jumping forward and back across this 150 year span we come to know and love these unconventional, amazing,strong and resilient family of women.
It takes skill to tell a story with no significant action or culmination in the plot, yet it is one McCann has mastered. It also takes skill to produce such a collection of interesting and equally strong characters. I honestly would find it hard to choose my favourite though if I absolutely had to it would probably be Lottie, though there is honestly little in it. All portrayed in beautifully constructed prose in which the various cities and places come alive, and will weave a spell over the reader.
I shall be most certainly be adding more McCann to be TBR list….and hopefully it won’t take me 3 years to read the next book.
Spanning 150 years, TransAtlantic follows one family of women as they criss-cross the Atlantic during pivotal moments in the histories of Ireland and America.
There is little overarching plot beyond tracking this family of women through history. The story is presented in vignettes in which we get snapshots of the women. 1845 – 1846, the famine has arrived in Ireland as has Douglas Hyde, and we meet Lily Duggan a maid in the house in Dublin in which Hyde stays, before taking a coffin ship for what she believes will be a better life in America. 1919, Brown and Alcock are attempting the first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland. There to witness and report on the event on Lily Duggan’s daughter and granddaughter Emily and Lottie Ehrlich. 1998 and Senator George Mitchell is attempting to end the Troubles, cheered on by Lottie and her daughter Hannah. Jumping forward and back across this 150 year span we come to know and love these unconventional, amazing,strong and resilient family of women.
It takes skill to tell a story with no significant action or culmination in the plot, yet it is one McCann has mastered. It also takes skill to produce such a collection of interesting and equally strong characters. I honestly would find it hard to choose my favourite though if I absolutely had to it would probably be Lottie, though there is honestly little in it. All portrayed in beautifully constructed prose in which the various cities and places come alive, and will weave a spell over the reader.
I shall be most certainly be adding more McCann to be TBR list….and hopefully it won’t take me 3 years to read the next book.