theguardian.com
McCann's "Twist" Explores Undersea Cables and Global Connectivity
Colum McCann's "Twist" follows Irish journalist Anthony Fennell as he joins cable repair engineer John Conway aboard the Georges Lecointe to repair a broken undersea cable off the west coast of Africa, highlighting the vulnerability of global digital infrastructure and the environmental consequences of our hyper-connected world.
- What are the immediate implications of the increasing vulnerability of undersea cables, as depicted in Colum McCann's "Twist?
- Colum McCann's new novel, "Twist," follows John Conway, a cable repair engineer, as he travels the world fixing undersea cables. The novel highlights the fragility of our globally interconnected digital infrastructure, which is vulnerable to damage and malicious actors. Multiple instances of underwater cable damage in the Baltic have been linked to Russia or its allies.
- How does McCann's "Twist" use the structure and themes of "Heart of Darkness" to comment on the current state of global technological infrastructure?
- McCann's "Twist" draws parallels between Conway's cable repair work and the narrative structure of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." Both involve journeys into remote and challenging environments with an ambiguous central character, reflecting on the dark side of technological advancement and globalization. The novel also mirrors McCann's previous work, "Let the Great World Spin," by focusing on a seemingly small act of virtuosity that intertwines various interconnected stories.
- What are the long-term consequences of the environmental and technological issues highlighted in "Twist," and what solutions or changes are implicitly suggested by the novel?
- Twist" predicts future global reliance on undersea cables, emphasizing their vulnerability to both natural disasters and human actions. The novel suggests a growing need for increased investment and security measures to protect this critical infrastructure. The juxtaposition of high-tech communication and environmental degradation underscores the complexities of modern global connectivity and its environmental impact.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the review emphasizes the narrative structure and thematic parallels with Conrad's Heart of Darkness and McCann's previous work. This leads to an analysis largely focused on the plot and stylistic choices rather than a balanced assessment of the novel's strengths and weaknesses. While comparative analysis is valid, the dominance of this approach overshadows a more comprehensive evaluation of the novel on its own terms.
Language Bias
The review uses evocative and descriptive language, such as "bravura account," "extraordinary vividness," and "portentousness." While enhancing the engagement, this choice of language shows some bias, as it uses subjective assessments that veer away from neutral reporting. However, the overall tone generally maintains a critical distance, acknowledging both strengths and shortcomings.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the plot and narrative structure, neglecting detailed analysis of the characters beyond the main protagonist and antagonist. There's little exploration of supporting characters' motivations or backstories, which could offer additional perspectives and enrich the overall understanding of the themes presented. While this omission might be partly due to space constraints in a review, it limits a full assessment of the novel's character development and thematic depth. The lack of analysis of the social or political context of the novel's setting (contemporary issues in South Africa and the UK, for example) further reduces the breadth of the review.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the 'graceful' and 'restorative' aspects of Petit's wire walk in Let the Great World Spin and the less 'graceful' and 'restorative' aspects of Twist. While highlighting a difference in tone and theme, the review doesn't fully explore the nuances and complexities that might exist within both narratives. For instance, the themes of connection and repair might be present in both stories, even if expressed differently. The simplification diminishes the potential for a richer comparative analysis.
Gender Bias
The review mentions Zanele, a female character, describing her as a "beautiful actor-director." This description, while seemingly innocuous, touches upon appearance which may be stereotypical. However, the review largely focuses on the male protagonist and narrator, and the gender dynamics within the story are not thoroughly explored, limiting the assessment of potential gender biases within the novel itself.
Sustainable Development Goals
The novel highlights the crucial role of undersea cables in global communication and data transfer, showcasing the infrastructure supporting modern life. The story emphasizes the skilled labor and technological innovation involved in maintaining these critical systems. The challenges faced by the repair crew underscore the need for resilience and investment in this vital infrastructure.