The Third Policeman

A truly great book. One of the funniest ever written. A postmodern masterpiece. ( )

The Third Policeman is a dark comic novel about the nature of time, death, and existence. Told by a narrator who has committed a botched robbery and brutal murder, the novel follows him and his adventures in a two-dimensional police station where, through the theories of the scientist/philosopher de Selby, he is introduced to "Atomic Theory" and its relation to bicycles, the existence of eternity (which turns out to be just down the road), and de Selby's view that the earth is not round but "sausage-shaped." With the help of his newly found soul named "Joe, " he grapples with the riddles and contradictions that three eccentric policeman present to him.

The Third Policeman by Flan O'Brien I couldn't believe it when I read the spoiler right in the front of the newer edition. How dumb is that?
 
Luckily I had read this book before, in fact several times.I'd rate this as one of the best 12 books in my life and would recommend for anyone to read it especially if you like cycling or feel an affinity to the Irish imagination.A truly staggering story that will take your breath away and leave you light headed, smiling and never quite willing to take everyday events at face value ever again. You will most certainly never be able to ride a bicycle without this book appearing somewhere in your consciousness and making you smile. I still can't look at a cracked ceiling without retracing my steps as to how I got into this room.I have also noticed the word Banjaxed appearing from time to time and a knowing smile will creep across my face.Of course none of this telling you anything about the book. I think I am alluding more to the experience of reading it rather that the content of the book. If my house were on fire I'd grab this book. ( )

Funny, adroit, clever. Do not read the introduction first = spoilers. ( )

This book was ahead of its time, and a very fascinating read. The book that brought me to this and 'At Swim Two Birds' was 'The Dalkey Archive'. My preference is for 'The Dalkey Archive', because it has a great sense of humour. ( )