TransAtlantic, by Colum McCann

The novel crisscrosses both the Atlantic Ocean and three centuries weaving events and characters into a rich tapestry.  Perhaps only McCann could manage to bring together pioneer fliers Alcock and Brown, who were the first (forget Lindbergh) to cross the Pond; Frederick Douglass; and Senator George Mitchell, as well as four generations of fictional women who connect these dots.  The common thread is Ireland and its “troubles.”  Lily Duggan, an Irish maid, immigrates to America not long after meeting Douglass, who was on a lecture tour in Ireland.  For those who live in St. Louis, there is another connection in the book (not Lindbergh) as she ultimately settles in St. Louis and her daughter, Emily, lives here around the time of the World’s Fair of 1904. When Emily and her daughter, Lottie move to Newfoundland, they meet Alcock and Brown who are preparing their repurposed World War I bomber for their flight over the water to Ireland.  They are asked to carry a letter from Emily with them across the Atlantic and it is this undelivered, and unopened, letter that rounds out the story.  The language varies from lyrical to abrupt, with many short sentences and fragments which makes it read, at times, like poetry or evokes a dream-like feeling.     304 pp.