CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING THEMES:

1. Connection vs. Isolation – Physically connected by underwater cables yet emotionally isolated, the characters embody our modern paradox of being simultaneously more connected and more alone than ever before.
   
   
2. The Illusion of Repair – The novel questions whether anything truly can be fixed, or if we merely create temporary solutions to permanent problems.
   
   
3. Environmental Devastation – Through Zanele’s passionate commentary and Conway’s eventual actions, the novel confronts our exploitation of natural resources and our refusal to acknowledge the damage we cause.
   
   
4. Identity and Reinvention – Conway’s changing names and shifting personas raise questions about authenticity and whether we can ever truly escape our origins.
   
   
5. Truth and Fiction – Through Fennell’s retrospective narration, McCann explores how we construct narratives from fragments, blending fact and imagination to create meaning.