Twist

A darkly epic novel about connection, disconnection, and destruction – from the New York Times-bestselling, National Book Award-winning, Booker Prize-longlisted author of Let the Great World Spin.

Anthony Fennell, a journalist, is in pursuit of a story buried at the bottom of the sea: the network of tiny fibre-optic tubes that carry the world's information across the ocean floor – and what happens when they break.

So he has travelled to Cape Town to board the George Lecointe, a cable repair vessel captained by Chief of Mission John Conway. Conway is a talented engineer and fearless freediver – and Fennell is quickly captivated by this mysterious, unnerving man and his beautiful partner, Zanele.

As the boat embarks along the west coast of Africa, Fennell learns the rhythms of life at sea and finds his place among the band of drifters who make up the crew. But as the mission falters, tensions simmer – and Conway is thrown into crisis. A terrible, violent tragedy is unfolding in the life he has left behind on land; and, trapped out at sea, it seems as if the vast expanse of the ocean is closing in.

Then Conway disappears; and Fennell must set out to find him.

As taut and propulsive as a thriller, and a timeless exploration of narrative and truth, Twist is the work of a master storyteller at the height of his powers.

About the Author

Colum McCann is the author of seven novels, three collections of stories, and two works of non-fiction. Born and raised in Dublin, he has received numerous international honours, including the U.S. National Book Award, the International Dublin Literary Prize, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French government, and election to the Irish arts academy. His work has been published in over 40 languages.

He is the President and co-founder of the non-profit global story exchange organisation, Narrative 4, and is the Thomas Hunter Writer in Residence at Hunter College in New York, where he lives with his wife, Allison, and their family.

His most recent book, American Mother, co-written with Diane Foley, was shortlisted for Biography of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards.

For more information, visit www.colummccann.com.