Irish novelist Colum McCann, author of six novels and three collections of stories, stopped by John Carroll University on Tues. April 24, 2018 for a reading and lecture on “intimate stories and global contexts.” McCann currently teaches at the MFA program at Hunter College, and is based in New York. With honors including the International Dublin Impac Prize, a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French government, the 2010 Best Foreign Novel Award in China, and an Oscar nomination, McCann’s visit brought in a full crowd at Donahue Auditorium. His book TransAtlantic was also longlisted for a Man Booker Prize in 2013.
Before McCann took to the podium to begin his well-versed discussion, he was introduced by Phil Metres—poet, activist, English professor, and director of the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights program here at JCU. “To encounter stories that invite us and sometimes even require us to change our lives. That’s what McCann’s work points us toward,” praised Metres when describing McCann’s lyrical prose and ability to insight empathy through his writing.
With a soothing Irish brogue McCann began speaking about the background of his novel, TransAtlantic, and its ties to the topic of peace in Northern Ireland. The novel blends fiction and history in covering three transatlantic crossings of several men: Frederick Douglas in 1845 and ’46, two aviators in 1919, and Senator George Mitchell in 1998. In delivering these tales, McCann breathes life into his characters by sharing their remarkable stories with the inclusion of his own imagined characters. He then proceeded to inform his audience about Frederick Douglas, as well as Einstein and Freud and their ties to peace based on the psychoses of hate.
After reading a few excerpts from TransAtlantic to his audience, the author brought his discussion to writing stories that inspire others by drawing from the inspirational acts of others. “That is what the world is—” paused McCann, “the story of everyone else.” The crowd was enthralled by the author’s energy and motivational words. When asked about his own writing process McCann laughed heartily. “Ya have to be an arse athlete,” he replied. “It’s about fighting. So much of it is about tenacity.” McCann entertained many, taking as many questions in the short time that was allowed before bringing the night to a close and staying back to sign books and speak with his readers.