The Third Policeman

By: Flann O'Brien

Narrated by: Jim Norton

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Flann O'Brien's most popular and surrealistic novel concerns an imaginary, hellish village police force and a local murder.

Weird, satirical, and very funny, its popularity has suddenly increased with the mention of the novel in the TV series Lost.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1967 Flann O'Brien (P)2012 Naxos AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"His writing is invariably compared to those other Irish greats, Joyce and Beckett, but for me he is infinitely more accessible and much funnier." (Sue Arnold, The Guardian, UK)
"If ever a book was brought to life by a reading, it is this presentation of O'Brien's posthumously published classic. Norton individually crafts voices and personalities for each character in such a way that a listener might imagine an entire cast of voice talent working overtime....[He] ties the ribbon on a perfect presentation of this absurd and chilling masterpiece." ( Publishers Weekly)

Now that was a fine pancake

On another continent, Flann O'Brien could masquerade as John Kennedy Toole. Delightful wit. I can recommend it without any reservation.

Post-modern and absurd in the best way

What did you love best about The Third Policeman?

The linear writing of theories from De Selby and the policemen are ridiculous and absurd which is why this book is so amusing.

What other book might you compare The Third Policeman to and why?

I can only say At-Swim-Two-Birds because Flann O'Brien has a unique comedic ability.

What does Jim Norton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I listened at 0.75x speed. Jim Norton brings some of the characters to life in a consistent way that can sometimes fall by the wayside if you were just reading it. The one that I find most amusing is Policeman MacCruiskeen. He is such an odd man and the voicing is just perfect.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Almost all moments in the police barracks were amazingly creative and hilarious.

Delightful but odd!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There are a couple of my friends who am sure would enjoy the quirkiness of this novel.

What other book might you compare The Third Policeman to and why?

I really can't think of a book to compare it to.

Have you listened to any of Jim Norton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the only novel I have heard Jim Norton narrate but I would like to listen to him again.

Any additional comments?

The Third Policeman is a very strange story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was very well narrated by Jim Norton and it is a novel I can see myself listening to again and again.

Breathtaking!

Where does The Third Policeman rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an experience not to be missed. I cannot think of an Audible book I’ve enjoyed more than this.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is remarkably original, funny, and evocative. Passages stand out in such detail as to stop you in your tracks, and days later they continue to make their presence felt in laugh out loud fashion. It’s a story that leaves me wanting to discuss it with somebody who has experienced it too....

What about Jim Norton’s performance did you like?

His narration is absolutely masterful. Characters live in his voice!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Start to finish, I was hooked.

Any additional comments?

This is soul food of the most delicious kind.

Brilliant

One of the best books I’ve listened to. Strongly recommend listening while cycling, it’ll make you think differently about your bike :)

A great reading of one of my favorite books.

A great reading of one of my favorite books. The Irish accent really brings the book to life.

My favorite audio book

I have listened to this novel so many times, but it is always new and entertaining each time. Love Jim Norton and Flann O’Brien !!

Brain Shrinking

What disappointed you about The Third Policeman?

The mind numming nonsense. I kept listening to the end thinking it must get better. What a waste of listening time.

What could Flann O'Brien have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

To have not spewed random nonsense on page after page.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jim Norton?

The narrator was great. He was not the problem.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Third Policeman?

Everything from his entering the house to get the black box to his going back to see his partner in crime.

Any additional comments?

As quoted from the book. "What I [heard] made my brain shrink painfully in my head".

I just don't get it.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I'm not sure. I bought this book looking for a story that involved cycling to get me excited fro the season to begin. Yes, there were mentions of bicycles but it was really only about cycling the way Titanic was about ice bergs. And the story just never seemed to go anywhere for me. I don't know how to advise someone to avoid wasting a credit on this book the way I did. Others found the book worth 5 stars. Not sure what to tell you. I thought the characters were daft and its not about cycling.

Its Complicated

I'm not going to show my ignorance and say this book was complete and utter crap BUT unless you really want to think about what your listening to, as opposed to me who doesn't really want to have to think to hard about the plot, this book is not for you.
Perhaps by listening to the entire book it all becomes somewhat more worthwhile, but I got tired of searching for meaning, symbolism or just some connection between the various settings in the book and how characters were connected - if at all. and most of the time the absurbity of what is being discused is to hard to make sense of anyway.
However my husband - who thought it was rubbish also insisted we listen the entire book as he wanted to know how the first chapters tied into the remainder - so there must be some hook there somewhere.
Felt like I had wasted my eight hour trip to town!