Colum McCann

Colum McCann is an award-winning author whose books have been lauded by critics and readers alike. He has written several best-selling novels – including Let the Great World Spin and TransAtlantic – as well as short stories and essays. His work has earned him numerous awards, including the National Book Award, the International Dublin Literary Award, and the Desmond Elliott Prize. His writing spans a wide range of genres, from historical fiction and speculative fiction to non-fiction and children’s books. McCann’s books have been translated into more than 25 languages and have achieved both critical and commercial success.

Colum McCann was born in 1965 in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Trinity College, where he received a master’s degree in English Literature. He then moved to the United States, where he received a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at Austin. After working as a journalist, McCann began to focus on writing fiction. His first book, Fishing the Sloe-Black River, was published in 1994. This collection of short stories garnered McCann critical acclaim and won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature.

In 1998, McCann published his first novel, Songdogs. This coming-of-age novel explored themes of identity and family history, and was praised by critics. McCann’s next novel, This Side of Brightness, was published in 2002 and dealt with themes of poverty and homelessness. It was well received, earning McCann a nomination for the International Impac Dublin Literary Award.

Colum McCann’s most celebrated book is Let the Great World Spin (2009), a novel about life in New York City in the aftermath of events surrounding Philippe Petit’s tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. It was awarded the National Book Award and became a best-seller. His next novel – TransAtlantic (2013) – follows several generations of Irish immigrants in the United States, focusing primarily on the female characters of the novel. TransAtlantic earned McCann the 2014 International Dublin Literary Award and was praised by reviewers.

McCann’s most recent work is Apeirogon (2020), a novel based on the true story of two fathers, one Palestinian, one Israeli, whose daughters were killed in a conflict. It has been praised for its thoughtful exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for its focus on healing and understanding.

McCann’s writing is marked by lyrical prose and topics that range from themes of race and identity to politics and family. He often brings a unique perspective to the stories he tells, drawing from his own experiences as an immigrant, a journalist, and an author. He is a celebrated storyteller whose books have captivated audiences for decades. He is a master of craft, creating vivid worlds and characters with each work he publishes.