The Third Policeman – Summary & Ending Explained
The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien is a surreal and darkly comedic novel that follows the protagonist, an unnamed narrator, as he navigates a bizarre world that defies the laws of physics and reason. The plot unfolds in rural Ireland and centers around the narrator's obsession with the eccentric philosopher De Selby and his quest for a hidden fortune.
The narrator, in cahoots with his accomplice Divney, commits a murder to secure the funds needed for their treasure hunt. However, events take a surreal turn as the narrator finds himself in a purgatorial landscape governed by strange laws and presided over by the mysterious and absurdly humorous third policeman.
As the narrative weaves through themes of identity, time, and the nature of reality, the plot becomes a labyrinth of absurd...