{"id":2448,"date":"2025-04-02T05:43:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T05:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2448"},"modified":"2025-04-02T05:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T05:43:17","slug":"twist-by-colum-mccann","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2448","title":{"rendered":"Twist by Colum McCann"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Colum McCann\u2019s latest novel, \u201cTwist,\u201d we are immersed in a world where connection and disconnection intertwine like the very cables that lie beneath our oceans. At its core, this is a story about repair \u2013 both literal and metaphorical \u2013 a theme that McCann has deftly explored throughout his distinguished career. But unlike his previous works, \u201cTwist\u201d plunges us into unfamiliar territory: the mysterious underwater realm where glass tubes carry our digital world across vast oceanic chasms.<\/p>\n

This narrative centers on Anthony Fennell, a struggling Irish writer assigned to document the repair of broken underwater internet cables aboard the ship Georges Lecointe. Under the command of the enigmatic Chief of Mission John Conway, Fennell embarks on a journey that will take him not just across the West African coast but into the murky depths of human connection and isolation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McCann\u2019s prose ripples with the same hypnotic quality as the waters his characters traverse. The novel\u2019s three-part structure mimics the arc of a wave \u2013 building gradually, cresting with intensity, before receding into a reflective epilogue that leaves us contemplating the broader implications of our interconnected world.<\/p>\n

Characters Adrift in Their Own Stories<\/h2>\n

The novel\u2019s strength lies in McCann\u2019s masterful character development<\/a>, particularly his portrayal of Conway, a man as mysterious as the ocean depths he navigates. Conway is introduced as a calm, capable leader with a peculiar preference for \u201cmachines that work\u201d \u2013 a flip phone over a smartphone, simplicity over complication. Yet beneath this composed exterior lurks a complexity that unravels as the narrative progresses.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do the hardware. And I\u2019m not a Luddite, man. No way. If I was a proper Luddite, I\u2019d be swimming home.\u201d<\/h4>\n

Conway\u2019s relationship with Zanele Ombassa forms the emotional anchor of the novel. An actress from a South African township on the cusp of international fame, Zanele embodies both strength and vulnerability. Their relationship is depicted with nuance \u2013 a connection strained by distance, diverging paths, and perhaps irreconcilable differences in how they view the world they inhabit.<\/p>\n

Fennell himself functions as both narrator and observer, his sobriety journey paralleling the ship\u2019s mission of repair. His perspective offers readers a window into the closed ecosystem of the ship and its crew, while his own struggles with connection\u2014particularly with his estranged son \u2013 mirror the larger themes of the novel.<\/p>\n

The Technical Made Poetic<\/h2>\n

One of Colum McCann\u2019s most impressive accomplishments in \u201cTwist\u201d is his ability to transform technical subjects into poetic meditation. The underwater cables \u2013 these thin glass tubes carrying billions of pulses of information \u2013 become powerful metaphors for human connection:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe depths hum with just about everything imaginable. Moving at an unimaginable speed. In a reinforced tube no bigger than a garden hose. You are here one moment. And then, in a nanosecond, you are somewhere else.\u201d<\/h4>\n

McCann researched extensively for this novel, and it shows in his detailed descriptions of cable repair processes, freediving techniques, and the underwater topography. Yet this technical knowledge never overwhelms the narrative; instead, it enhances it, creating a rich backdrop against which the human drama unfolds.<\/p>\n

The Art of Narrative Disruption<\/h2>\n

Structure plays a crucial role in \u201cTwist,\u201d with Colum McCann deliberately fracturing his narrative to mirror the disruptions his characters experience. The novel begins linearly but gradually fragments as Conway\u2019s storyline splinters from the main narrative. This fragmentation reaches its apex in Part Three, where McCann shifts perspective entirely, imagining Conway\u2019s final days in Egypt.<\/p>\n

This experimental approach occasionally creates confusion, particularly in the final third of the book where fact and conjecture blend. Some readers may find this disorienting, but it effectively places us in Fennell\u2019s position \u2013 piecing together fragments to construct a coherent narrative.<\/p>\n

A notable weakness appears in the novel\u2019s pacing, particularly during extended sections aboard the ship. Several passages detailing Fennell\u2019s observations of daily life at sea could have been tightened without losing their atmospheric quality.<\/p>\n

Themes That Resonate Beyond the Final Page<\/h2>\n

Where \u201cTwist\u201d by Colum McCann truly excels is in its thematic depth. McCann explores several interconnected ideas:<\/p>\n

Connection vs. Isolation<\/strong> \u2013 Physically connected by underwater cables yet emotionally isolated, the characters embody our modern paradox of being simultaneously more connected and more alone than ever before<\/a>.
\nThe Illusion of Repair<\/strong> \u2013 The novel questions whether anything truly can be fixed, or if we merely create temporary solutions to permanent problems.
\nEnvironmental Devastation<\/strong> \u2013 Through Zanele\u2019s passionate commentary and Conway\u2019s eventual actions, the novel confronts our exploitation of natural resources and our refusal to acknowledge the damage we cause.
\nIdentity and Reinvention<\/strong> \u2013 Conway\u2019s changing names and shifting personas raise questions about authenticity and whether we can ever truly escape our origins.
\nTruth and Fiction<\/strong> \u2013 Through Fennell\u2019s retrospective narration, McCann explores how we construct narratives from fragments, blending fact and imagination to create meaning.<\/p>\n

McCann\u2019s Evolution as a Writer<\/h2>\n

Fans of McCann\u2019s previous works like \u201cLet the Great World Spin\u201d and \u201cTransAtlantic\u201d will recognize his signature style \u2013 lyrical prose, multiple perspectives, and themes of connection across divisions. However, \u201cTwist\u201d represents an evolution, venturing into thriller territory while maintaining the literary quality that earned him the National Book Award.<\/p>\n

Like \u201cApeirogon\u201d (2020), \u201cTwist\u201d by Colum McCan experiments with form and perspective, but it feels more contained and focused. Where \u201cApeirogon\u201d expanded outward through hundreds of numbered sections, \u201cTwist\u201d dives inward, exploring the depths rather than the expanses.<\/p>\n

Technical Execution<\/h2>\n

McCann\u2019s prose remains one of his greatest strengths. His descriptions of the ocean depths are particularly evocative:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe waves came sideways at the ship and broke hard. Petrus stood, soaked in spray, then moved to the mooring station for shelter. He gently rubbed the bulky phone against the thigh of his jumpsuit, dried it, then held it to his ear again.\u201d<\/h4>\n

The dialogue rings true throughout, with each character maintaining a distinct voice. Conway\u2019s terse, thoughtful responses contrast effectively with Zanele\u2019s passionate declarations and Fennell\u2019s more reflective observations.<\/p>\n

Final Assessment: A Dive Worth Taking<\/h2>\n

\u201cTwist\u201d by Colum McCan is not a perfect novel. Its experimental structure occasionally sacrifices clarity for effect, and certain sections aboard the ship could have been streamlined. The third section\u2019s speculative nature may frustrate readers looking for definitive answers about Conway\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n

Yet these criticisms feel minor when weighed against the novel\u2019s achievements. McCann has crafted a work that functions simultaneously as a compelling character study, a meditation on our digital age, and an environmental cautionary tale. The questions it raises about connection, communication, and responsibility will remain with readers long after they\u2019ve turned the final page.<\/p>\n

For those new to Colum McCann\u2019s work, \u201cTwist\u201d offers an accessible entry point to his recurring themes and lyrical style. For longtime fans, it represents a satisfying evolution of his craft, pushing into new territory while maintaining the emotional resonance that has defined his career.<\/p>\n

In an age where we are increasingly dependent on the very cables McCann describes, yet increasingly disconnected from one another and our environment, \u201cTwist\u201d offers a timely exploration of what it means to be broken, what it means to be repaired, and what it means to be human in our fragmented digital age.<\/p>\n

The novel ultimately suggests that perhaps true connection doesn\u2019t depend on cables at all, but on our willingness to dive beneath the surface \u2013 of ourselves, of others, and of the stories we tell about who we are.<\/p>\n

Comparison with Contemporary Works<\/h2>\n

Readers who appreciate \u201cTwist\u201d by Colum McCan might also enjoy Emily St. John Mandel\u2019s \u201cSea of Tranquility\u201d for its exploration of connection across time, or Hernan Diaz\u2019s \u201cTrust\u201d for its examination of narrative and truth. Like these works, McCann\u2019s novel reminds us that in literature, as in life, what lies beneath the surface often matters more than what\u2019s immediately visible.<\/p>\n

In the end, \u201cTwist\u201d leaves us contemplating Conway\u2019s observation that \u201ceverything gets fixed, and we all stay broken\u201d<\/em> \u2013 a paradox that perhaps best captures the human condition in our hyperconnected yet deeply fractured world.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Colum McCann\u2019s latest novel, \u201cTwist,\u201d we are immersed in a world where connection and disconnection intertwine like the very cables that lie beneath our oceans. At its core, this is a story about repair \u2013 both literal and metaphorical \u2013 a theme that McCann has deftly explored throughout his distinguished career. But unlike his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2448"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}