THE THIRD POLICEMAN

This bizarre tale, considered a modern Irish classic, is experiencing renewed attention after having been mentioned in various episodes of the television series "Lost." An unnamed protagonist and his accomplice, John Divney, commit a robbery and murder. Afterwards, the story becomes surreal, with the main character encountering philosophy-spouting policemen and experiencing other weird occurrences. Jim Norton's Irish accent is appropriate to the setting. His tone maintains a deadpan, offhand manner, which becomes increasingly chilling after the murder is committed. While this interpretation is fitting for the surrealism of the narrative and may appeal to those with a taste for the eccentric, it's not a gripping listen. One is left with a sense of having missed the point--and not really caring. M.H.N. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]