TransAtlantic: A Novel

Loved this book. Wonderful images created that just stay with me. And the characters, the differences they made in the world and in their lives, the dichotomy of the different ways issues can be viewed. MUST READ!

Remarkable history of which I knew very little... I am appalled at how little of "this world and US history" that is taught or was taught, and how it impacted. Thank you , Colum McCann for humanizing and helping to make real this part of our World history... and especially, United States history.... I have a far greater understanding.... and realize how much more I likely don't know...

It was good, but not outstanding. The writing style was wonderful and descriptive. There were places in the first story line that literally held me breathless. However, there was a point at which i felt the book simply bogged down. The stories of the people became confused and felt disjointed. The historical aspects were interesting, though. My book club and i agreed that we are pleased we read it. But unlike "Let the Geeat World Spin" we didn't feel compelled to call our friends and tell them "you MUST read..."

I truly loved this writer's previous book, As the Great World Spins, but I was disappointed in this one, which I found quite dull and boring. I was already familiar with most of the material and found it be more a relating of history and biography than a true imaginative novel.

I have to say I was really disappointed. McCann's Let the Great World Spin is among my top 25 favorite novels, so I expected to love this one. Not sure what this one lacked, but I didn't feel a deep connection to any of the characters. The ending felt very precipitous. Maybe had I read this one first, I would I liked it more, but it pales in comparison to Let the Great World Spin.

This book was excellent on all levels. It was interesting seeing the three separate stories thread together into one. The historical aspects of the novel were well researched and I learned a lot about parts of the little known history of three centuries. The characterization was well done and I did not want the book to end.

Well written, Mccann ties together several at first seemingly unrelated stories together nicely. The book does a very good job of depicting what has been inflicted on the Irish people within the context of a family history that moves from Dublin to the MidWest of the US, to Canada and to Northern Ireland

So cleverly written; threads of story woven throughout to culminate in a well-developed fabric. I have highly recommended it to everyone, in spite of being a bit disillusioned with the quick denouement in its finale. Loved his first novel and can't wait until his next one!

First, let me confess I only read this book because it is my book group choice this month. I found it quite well written, but very 'constructed', you could almost see the author thinking "How do I get A to meet B and then reappear with C in the story forty years later. If I hadn't read some of the other reviews before I started I'd have been totally lost, and probably wouldn't have bothered finishing it had I not intended to discuss it with my friends. I haven't read any of McCann's other work, and don't think I am likely to, unless the book group choose him again.

Best to know that the first chapter really is the last. Then you'll understand the book much better. I thought the portraits of the real and fictional characters were well written, and once you understand the mixed-up chronology, I think it is a good read.

This latest book from Colum McCann is similar to his previous "Let the Great World Spin" in that it brings together the stories of many characters which intersect superbly. It is also a wonderful history of both Ireland (the Famine and the Peace Process of 1998) and the US (Slavery, the first trans-Atlantic flight, life in the 19th and 20th centuries). The trans-Atlantic works in both directions over many decades to give a very enjoyable read. And if you ever have a chance to hear the author read, make sure to take it.

McCann's writing skill is simply a joy to behold. I didn't think I'd be very interested in this story line but I was wrong. He weaves these characters together beautifully and you're involved whether you wished it or not. That's the quality of a brilliant wordsmith. And the short histories of Ireland, slavery and flight couln't be more different, but the same. Brilliantly done! I can't wait to read more of McCann. I'm hooked.

This is a compilation of stories that span several hundred years. They are very interesting stories by themselves and the stories are woven together near the end of the book. It is an enjoyable read and interesting to see the different perspectives of totally different people over several generations.

Really liked this book as it made history interesting. The Alcock & Brown part was my favorite especially the description of the flight across the Atlantic and the two men's personal lives. The Douglass part of the story brought the Ireland of that time to life and the story of Lily, the maid in the house he stayed in, was excellent. It helped to imagine what may have happened to the many Irish emigrants to US, though her life was different to any that I would have thought of. I love McCann's description, I wonder how he does it. Really great work.

A half-dozen related tales spanning the last century and a half of Irish history weaves a fine spell until about the 2/3 point, where the spell breaks and the novel drags. The author's technique is dazzling at points, but the technique sometimes overwhelms entertainment, plot, or education.

Greta
This is an amazing book. The words shine off the page and roll over your eyes gently. The story is complicated yet easy to follow. The writing style is concise yet flowery. I cried at the end. A magnificent read

This is an unbelievably wonderful novel. It pulls together so many different historical moments, gives you access to so many different people's minds, and so is beautifully written, it makes it hard to pick up another book after you've finished reading it.

This book is haunting and beautifully written. It talks about tunneling through and occasionally seeing the light, meeting each other at that juncture of light, and then going back inside the tunnel. Seeing as through the glass darkly, yet hopeful and uplifting.

this is so incredibly beautiful that I found myself stopping to savor the words again and again.
The author is a master of language, I will re-read this many times and revel in the beauty, tone and texture of imagined history.

The last section could have been edited or deleted
I get the point about the interracial couple but it didn't close the circle. The part about the letter was also strained: to whom was it worth anything and why?

McCann writes beautifully. His descriptions of Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century and his descriptions of a flight in 1919 are vivid enough to feel. He is able to write about four generations of women without it seeming like an overdrawn family saga.

The threads of the story were wonderfully intertwined. The characters were full and very inviting - I wanted to know more about them and loved the way the story and the heritage of the characters grew in depth. A terrific read chosen by our book group. I would highly recommend it and want to read other works by this author.

Well written and great wAy of weaving together different view points and stories that come together at the end. However, as seemingly unrelated parts come together in the end, don't casually read this leaving too much time between chapters. You will want to remember earlier details later on.

Cuts to the core of class differences,beginning with Frederick Douglass' experience in 1840s Ireland at a time of starving poor people and an upper class that supported abolition. Thorough attention to detail--fashion, geography, family interaction.
Delightful descriptions of English society, culture and family dynamics.
A number of historical ,cultural transformative themes carefully defined and drawn.

Mr. Mcann describes events and people that only he with his writing skill could link together. His love and respect for his characters is beyond measure. Was most impressed by his description of George Mitchell and his peaceful manner in the settlement of the Irish "troubles." His prose is like a gentle Irish purr.

The author seemed to want to showcase his writing skills and thought this combination of short stories would be clever. I was not impressed or amused. A friend who read this before me complained it was very anti-climactic. My reply was that it would be hard to find any climax when you have a series of short stories with an almost impossibly thin thread attempting to connect them.

Other reviewers have mentioned the confusion in sorting out the characters. When you write a short story, you can never develop the characters to a depth you would gain in a full length novel. This makes it even more difficult for a reader to relate in a way that would get them from the beginning to the end of this work. I had a hard time switching from one story to another because I had to take time in each to discern which characters were involved in each, and to try to determine the aforementioned 'thread', not to mention if there even was one. This left me often confused and/or I didn't care. I only finished it because it was a selection of my book club.

The only 'story' I enjoyed was the first one about the two daring aviators who flew from Newfoundland to Ireland in an open-cockpit plane, but perhaps this was because I didn't realize this was going to be the best part of the book.

Colum McCann is an outstanding writer whose narrative immediately grabs the reader by the collar and won't let go. Transatlantic is not only a fabulous read but a mine of interesting historical facts. After reading the book I went on line to further study some of the topics covered in the book. So far the best book I have read this year.

Enjoyed this historical fiction account of distinct personalities who traversed the Atlantic for different reasons and reconnected in distant locations of the globe. Interesting and I found it difficult to put down. Eileen B., N.Y., N.Y.

can relate to Irish anecdotes/references. F. Douglas from here/Rochester NY. And, G.Mitchell a role model. recent review in local paper turned me on to buying book. despite being very descriptive in settings of war/famine about people dying one has to appreciate Colum McCann's talent. surprised by the separation of text into 'books' but not a major reason for not buying it.

TransAtlantic evoked a range of deep emotion--with its staccato-like sentences that, while short, packed a punch. Getting a glimpse of such a wide span of history was enthralling. Cheers to this work by Colum McCann!

It is written beautifully, even poetically, but I had difficulty feeling an emotional attachment to the characters. Something was missing, but definitely not in the writing. I am glad I read it, but I wouldn't reread it or even probably remember it in a few months.

Transatlantic is a huge, sprawling work of a single Irish immigrant's family touching, and being touched by, events over three centuries. McCann proves once again he is among the world's best storytellers with his elegant, compact prose, his unique voice and his compelling characters. Fortunately or unfortunately, McCann is one of those superstars who has to compete with himself, and as much as I loved this novel, his As the Great World Spins was, in my mind, better. For all Transatlantic's strength, keeping the story attached to historical events felt forced at times, particularly in the section involving American ambassador and Senator George Mitchell. That observation may be quibbling in the way one objects to Barry Bonds taking a walk instead of hitting a home run, and it should not preclude buying this novel. I intend to re-read it, and it has few peers.

Probably has some relevance for those who have acquired money and spend it all, thinking they may have something valuable to fall back on. In spite of that, bringing Fredrick Douglas into the storytelling added some interest.

Reading transatlantic is like time traveling. The characters and their multi generational stories are woven together in a seamless, but not overly neat, emotional and narrative tapestry. McCann manages to speak deeply from the soul of each character.

Colum McCann brings the same oblique perspective to a two-century look at a range of history around one moment of hope -- the Good Friday Peace Accords that were an important moment in the continuing history of an evolving peace in Northern Ireland. His brilliant plotting tells the story through four major male characters as well as four generations of strong women survivors.

This is a beautifully novel at first seemingly unrelated parts; however, like a puzzle the pieces fit together. I was not happy with the last part as it was not as well coordinated with the rest of this wonderful book.

Woven around several generations and many locations but primarily Ireland. Propelling, fascinating, and thoughtful. What is remembered? How do pieces of life come together? A good reads agreed my Wellesley book club.

A little confusing to me in the beginning. Brilliantly creates characters and puts you there with them. Wonderful, intelligent, story telling that made me want to do more research on the historic events.

A little confusing to me in the beginning. Brilliantly creates characters and puts you there with them. Wonderful, intelligent, story telling that made me want to do more research on the historic events.

A fascinating multi-generational tale that spans social class, social upheaval, wars and the ocean between them. McCann's use of descriptive language, as well as his distinctive sense of time and place are superb. This is a very moving and memorable novel. Highly recommended.

Love the writing in this book. I am fascinated by the authors turn of phrase, so insightful. I was delighted with the insights in the book, in particular regarding George Mitchell, the peace process and the man, heis an Irish hero.
Worth reading, lots of twists and turns.

This novel captures the historical ties between America and Ireland through real and fictional people. Some of the chapters are more successful than others but the overall impression is dramatic and compelling.

The tug between present and past , the characters feeling like they could have been my olde family members, the heart wrenching dilemmas they lived through...all so compelling. The corker was being inside George Mitchell's mind..what an introduction to the man. Thanks Mr. McCann for a superior book. I will read more of your novels.

The writing is concise and incredibly descriptive. I froze crossing the Atlantic in an open cockpit, cried at the hunger in Ireland during the famine, and rejoice at the resilience of the main women characters. It was a fast, entertaining read.

I had difficulty with the narrative. There was not a plot per se but more of an intertwining of abstract stories with tenuous linking of 4 generations of women at the center. Never really got attached to the fictional characters. Did like the nonfiction characterization of Frederick Douglas. Otherwise, I would consider it an uninteresting read.