This Side of Brightness

In This Side of Brightness, Colum McCann weaves a rich tapestry of imagination and history set against the backdrop of New York City's tunnels. The narrative follows Nathan Walker, a sandhog who leaves Georgia to dig the crucial East River tunnel, forging unexpected bonds with fellow workers amidst the dangers of their profession. Decades later, Treefrog, a homeless man with a painful secret, navigates survival in the subway during a harsh winter, his experiences contrasting sharply with Walker's past. Through the intertwining lives of these characters, McCann explores themes of family, race, and redemption in a story as vibrant as the city itself.