Colum McCann is one of the most important Irish writers in contemporary literary fiction. His work has been critically acclaimed across the globe for its artistic achievement, its thematic range and its ethical force. This Side of Brightness: Essays on the Fiction of Colum McCann is the first collection of scholarly essays to deal with McCann's œuvre, drawing on the pioneering critical work of some of the leading figures in Irish literary studies. Touching on a host of central themes in McCann's writing – emigration, race, performance, poverty, travel, nationality and globalization – the volume covers each of McCann's publications and includes a substantial interview with the author. The book is an invaluable resource for current and future scholars of the Irish novel.