I'm nearly finished Let the great world spin by Colm Mc Cann.It's set in New York in August 1974.The starting point of the story is the man on the wire.Phillipe Petit walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers and the characters that we meet in the book are living their very different ,but overlapping lives in the busy world below the wire.It's a very engaging book -moving between first and third person narratives all the time.Each character we meet we become involved with immediately and they all have very redeeming personalities in spite of the less than pleasant lives that some of them lead.I can't wait to see how all the ends tie up.I hope it won't be too contrived but satisfying all the same.
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Posted 2 years ago #
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I've heard a lot about it but the 9/11 theme has put me off a bit .. I recently read Joseph O'Neill's "Netherland" & was seriously unimpressed. Will look forward to reading your assessment when you finish it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Finished 'Let the great world spin '.it finished well but not too obviously.It's a book I feel I should read again ..to savour the next time.I highly recommend it.There is very little reference to 9/11.There is no similarity at all to Netherland{which I actually liked}.Try it....If you read 'This side of brightness 'and liked it you will also enjoy this book
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks Deno ... following on your recommendation I purchased Let The Great World Spin and have just finished it. My what a fabulous read. I loved the characters and loved the way he skillfully overlapped their lives & I just could not wait to see how he would bring it all to a conclusion ... I was so scared he's do something trite or OTT with the ending but he does not disappoint. As you rightly pointed out it's got nothing to do with 9/11 except for the Twin Towers featuring as the backdrop to the lives of these tremendous creations.
I'll be trusting your recommendations in future .. thank you.
Posted 2 years ago # -
glad you liked it Bashert.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I believe Colm Mc Cann is coming to Cuirt in Galway in April.Looking forward to lots of other good authors joining him including 4 from Canada.All will be revealed tomorrow at the launch...looking forward to it
Posted 2 years ago #
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