Writing style
Dense · Dialogue-driven · Experimental · Witty
Apple BooksThe Third Policeman
Literary fiction · Absurdism · Dark comedy
- First published
- 1967
- Print length
- 200 pagesWalker, 1968
Description
Set in rural Ireland, The Third Policeman follows an unnamed scholar devoted to the writings of scientist-philosopher de Selby. Unable to publish his major study, he becomes implicated in a scheme involving robbery and murder. A violent encounter with Mathers separates him from a stolen cash box, while his strained relationship with Divney centers on its hiding place. After a disorienting visit there, he seeks help at a strange police barracks. Bicycle-obsessed officers respond with surreal conversations, impossible theories, and devices that seem to defy nature, drawing him ever farther from ordinary reality.
Reading profile
About this profile
Collected’s assessment, not reader ratings. Complexity runs from 1 (least demanding) to 5 (most demanding).
- Writing
- How much attention the sentences and language require.
- Ideas
- How much interpretation or abstract reasoning the book asks of you.
- Structure
- How much you need to keep track of speakers, timelines and connections.
- Background knowledge
- Prior knowledge needed to follow the book, beyond what it explains.
- Emotional intensity
- Emotional pressure, from gentle (1) to intense (5). Separate from difficulty.
Pace
Moderate
Tone
Absurdist · Dark · Eerie · Philosophical
Structure
Circular · Fragmented
Focus
Atmosphere · Ideas · Voice
Emotional intensity
3 / 5
Reading complexity
1–5 · higher means more demanding- Writing
- 4 / 5
- Ideas
- 5 / 5
- Structure
- 4 / 5
- Background knowledge
- 2 / 5
Themes
Book details
For the print edition listed above.
- Publisher
- Walker
- Language
- English
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