33 pages • 1 hour read
Colum McCannLet the Great World Spin
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann interweaves the stories of diverse New Yorkers connected by a tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. It explores the lives of a priest, Corrigan, and his brother Ciaran; bereaved mothers, Claire and Gloria; a guilty crash driver, Lara; and others, culminating in the adopted daughter Jaslyn's reflections decades later. The book contains depictions of sex work, substance addiction, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin receives praise for its lyrical prose and intricate narrative structure, which intertwines the lives of diverse characters against the backdrop of 1970s New York. Critics appreciate its emotional depth and social commentary, though some find the numerous plotlines occasionally disjointed. The novel's ambitious scope and rich storytelling make it a compelling read.
Who Should Read Let the Great World Spin?
Readers who relish intricately woven narratives and multifaceted characters would savor Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin. Fans of Don DeLillo's Underworld or Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close will find themselves captivated by its exploration of interconnected lives against the backdrop of 1970s New York City.