The Third Policeman

[Valerie]

Just finished; here is my review I wrote for my challenge group:

I love this book! It is crazy and makes no sense, but that is the point. Overall, the novel is darkly comic with some true ‘laugh out loud’ moments. The narrator is naive and self absorbed and given to long thoughts/explanations/footnotes about his study of an important philosopher/scientist. He has written what he believes to be the definitive biography of the philosopher and needs money to self publish his work. The rest follows from there. It is easy to follow, but not easy to understand. Despite the fact this novel is ‘surreal’ it would be very easy to spoil it, so I’ll say no more about it.

I listened to the novel narrated by Jim Norton and highly recommend this version. He is Irish and so ‘does’ Irish accents very well, and this enriched the story immensely. 5*

[Kristel]

I rated The Third Policeman 4 stars. Also thought it weird but entertaining. Here is my brief review. When I read it in 2015, I think this is my first Flan O'Brien. A weird story but surprisingly entertaining. Set in rural Ireland, its a tale of murder, bicycles, other dimensions. Those Irish can sure tell tall tales. The ending is great but giving it away would be a shame.

"Is it about a bicycle?"

[George P.]

I read this novel in 2016. It's easy 1st-person-view readability contrasts with a story that alternates between commonplace events, a rougish murder-theft, and the surreal and bizarre. Uncategorizable. But good, (and not very long).

[Jen]

3* - This is one of those books that I admire - it felt like a story and style before its time - but can't say I truly enjoyed it. I don't think postmodern satire works for me. Though I did very much enjoy Jim Norton's excellent audio narration. Recommended for fans of Douglas Adams and/or avid cyclists!

[Rosemary]

Such a fun and bizarre book. Something happens to our narrator, who is a wronged but not very nice young man, and he finds himself mixed up with three rural policemen who are obsessed with bicycles.

Originally there was a twist, but the book is so well known now that I knew from the beginning and didn't realise it was supposed to be a surprise until I saw the Publisher's Note at the end. It didn't spoil my enjoyment at all.

However I can see this might be a love-it-or-hate-it book, and you have to not mind too much if things go round in circles and make no sense.