KQED's Forum Forum from the Archives: ‘Twist’ Explores Sabotage, Repair and the Hidden Cables Connecting Us
Jul 29, 2025
Colum McCann, a National Book Award-winning author known for novels like 'Apeirogon,' delves into his latest work, 'Twist,' which examines the critical role of underwater cables in global communication. He explores themes of sabotage and repair, particularly how these cables are vulnerable to geopolitical threats. The discussion uncovers the personal and societal implications of our interconnected lives while highlighting the emotional nuances of technology. McCann also shares reflections on identity and the complexities of human connections in an increasingly digital world.
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Cables Surpass Satellites
- Subsea cables remain the fastest and most reliable communication means; satellites are slower and more vulnerable.
- Countries like Russia invest in independent Arctic cables for redundancy against sabotage elsewhere.
Cable Repair at Congo Coast
- The journalist protagonist, Fennell, goes on a cable repair ship off Africa to investigate a break caused by a Congo River landslide.
- Cable repair uses old-fashioned methods like grappling hooks to find and fix breaks in dark ocean abyss.
Life On Cable Repair Ships
- Colum McCann spent time on a cable repair boat meeting international crew members who face long, isolating voyages.
- Life at sea brings out both the best and worst human traits amid difficult, uncertain work.
