This was an interesting book overall, but it was still pretty dry. It was pretty technical about the work the people were doing, so that was a bit too focused on the wrong things. I think the beginning started off strong, the middle was so dull, and then the ending was picking up pace again which was good.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This was a strong story and enjoyed the concept and how the plot was told. The characters felt like this was their story that needed to be told and enjoyed how they worked in this universe. Colum McCann has a great writing style and it worked with the genre.

This was quite the interesting read. It started off pretty captivating but somewhere in the middle it seems to drag on. The last 20% or so picked up again and kept me engaged through the end. The writing style is pretty unique. At one point, there’s a single sentence that stretches over nearly 3 pages on my kindle. I’d be interested to read more works from this author but I know to pace myself to avoid feeling underwhelmed.

An alcoholic, disenfranchised journalist, Anthony Fennell, ventures to South Africa and is tasked to write an article about submarine telecommunications cable repair while shadowing Chief of Mission (director of repair), John Conway, on their search and repair mega ocean vessle. While on assignment he gets to know the mysterious Conway, also a free diver, and becomes acquainted with his partner, attention-seeking actress Zanelle.

The subject of fiber optic repair, the mending of fine glass tubes, no bigger than a human hair and encompassed in a tube about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, was absolutely fascinating and illuminating. The submarine telecommunications cables are responsible for the majority of internet traffic worldwide, made up of approximately 1.5 million kilometers lying as deep as 4 kilometers down on the ocean floor. The laborious intricacies in repairing these severed cables, which disrupt or halt data travel to neighboring countries, is staggering. I ignorantly have never thought about this underwater infrastructure which is critical to our daily life.

Saying all this probably makes it sounds like a dry book, but it absolutely was not. Woven throughout is a theme of broken and taught relationships and Anthony’s struggle for sobriety and a more positive evolution. He also examines the state of our oceans. Masterly written, with gripping tension throughout the story and a smooth flow. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.