Colum McCann

Date of Birth: February 28, 1965

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Colum McCann is an Irish writer, born in Dublin, Ireland. He is best known for his literary fiction, particularly his novel “Let the Great World Spin,” which won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2009. McCann’s work often explores themes of identity, displacement, and the human condition, characterized by its lyrical prose and intricate storytelling. McCann has written several novels, short stories, and essays, and his work has been translated into over 40 languages. He has also received numerous awards and honors, including the International Dublin Literary Award, and he was elected into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2017. McCann is a co-founder of the non-profit global story exchange organization Narrative 4 and teaches at Hunter College’s MFA Creative Writing program.

5 Interesting Facts about Colum McCann

1. Colum McCann’s mother was a schoolteacher, and his father was a journalist for the Irish Press.

2. McCann initially studied journalism before turning to fiction writing, and he once cycled across the United States as part of his early writing experiences.

3. “Let the Great World Spin” has been described as a post-9/11 allegory and is considered one of the great novels of the 21st century.

4. He received the French Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2009, an honor given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the arts.

5. McCann is an advocate for the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding, which led to his co-founding of Narrative 4, an organization that connects people through shared stories.