Week 1 Blog
The Redbreast
Jo Nesbø
Pages Read: 3-43
Word Count: 339
Summary
Detective Harry Hole and his literal partner in crime, Ellen Gjelten are on police watch along a Norwegian barrier as they expect the U.S. President to arrive for a meeting in 1999. They make fun of the past president who visited Norway and make fun of the secret service for simply being the secret service. While watching the cars roll in with the president, they encounter a non-secret service agent car with a machine gun. Harry goes for the shot but is delayed by the sight of the robin redbreast bird that flew away which caused him to contemplate if he should actually kill whoever it was and make them lose it all. The chapter never said if he shot and killed or not.
Critical Analysis
Nesbø’s novel is not a traditional storytelling novel. It’s constantly jumping from different characters and instances with these characters that shaped them into what they stand for.The most interesting quote I used was “We didn’t think that Ho Dai would survive. You usually don’t with a smashed skull and parts of the insides on the outside.” (16) The context of this quote is Detective Hole testifying in court as a police officer against a lawyer who is proving the defendant not guilty. I chose this quote because it demonstrates Hole’s character about not pleasing everyone. He is a stern individual who has a distinct character, almost like a walking smirk,
Personal Response
So far, I like the introductions of each character but it definitely gets confusing. Each segment is usually a new character or the same characters in different time periods. It is hard to keep up because many of the characters’ last names are spelt very similarly due to the language, as well. Besides that, I enjoyed the thrill and maturity of the book. Nesbø has no filter and says things as they are and introduces controversial characters, which keeps you intrigued. I’m sure that once I’m familiar with the characters, it will make more sense and I’ll be able to follow along easier.
