‘Lost’ and Found

Irish author Flann O’Brien (illustrated above) is enjoying, posthumously, a renewed and feverish interest in his work thanks to the hit ABC television show, Lost. O’Brien. whose real name was Brian O’Nolan. and who wrote under a variety of pseudonyms, produced wildly inventive humorous essays and novels. O’Brien’s The Third Policeman sold 10,000 copies in two days after being featured for only a few seconds on an October episode. The show is known for using hidden clues and symbols to further the story line, and producers have said that they chose O’Brien’s book “for a reason.” The book’s UK publisher has ordered a fresh printing in anticipation of the airing of the episode there later this spring. ♦