Knots and Crosses was the first major crime novel by renowned Scottish writer Ian Rankin. Let's briefly explore the general plot and themes of this classic detective story.
Ian Rankin, the king of Tartan Noir
Knots and Crosses (its original English title) marked the official launch in 1987 of a career dedicated to the noir genre for author Ian Rankin, a career that remains active after decades of work.
It was also the unexpected meeting of a vocation after a long time of youth wandering. Rankin went from being a swineherd to a journalist, then a punk musician, then a grape picker, and finally an academic literature tutor. The experience of all these disparate tasks is reflected in the experiential richness of his characters.
You might also enjoy this other article on our website about Jorge Fernández Díaz's "El Puñal" . Follow the link!
The author has been immensely important in establishing the so-called Tartan Noir, the crime novel genre written and set in Scottish lands.
Although the definition has been considered problematic by authors from Scotland including Rankin, a series of common characteristics can be pointed out, such as the protagonism of a cynical and tormented anti-hero in search of redemption through his investigations. Rankin has been important in the assumption of the genre as a successful product beyond the borders of his homeland.
In the following video, the affable Rankin can be seen talking about the latest developments in his novelistic work. His temperament seems to be the opposite of what his dark work reflects.
The key to this acclaimed diffusion of the style inspired by American hardboiled passed through the European sieve has been Rankin's favorite character, the protagonist of Knots and Crosses. If Christie had his Hercule Poirot, Conan Doyle his Sherlock, and Chesterton his Father Brown, Rankin has had Inspector John Rebus for decades. 22 deliveries add the character to the top of sales of the black novel.
Knots and crosses, a personal portrait crossed by bloody kidnappings
The novel served at the time as the first detailed exposition of the character, talent, and background of the antihero John Rebus. If there is a mystery posed by a series of crimes, it is placed as a backdrop to the personal drama of the inspector, plagued by numerous psychological torments. Knots and Crosses is, therefore, Rebus's introduction to the world, and the book should be understood as such.
John Rebus is an inspector who in the past was a member of his country's military secret service, which has generated permanent post-traumatic stress in him, manifested in the form of reclusion, roughness in dealings and recurrent panic attacks. To this mix it is necessary to add addiction to alcohol and tobacco, a recent divorce and a teenage girl with whom communication is not the best. Rebus is really a rock bottom specialist character for a long time.
In these conditions, the detective must face a strange case of kidnapping girls that has terrorized the city of Edinburgh. Two of the infants have been found murdered and a third is in danger of reaching the same destination. Rebus must start from scratch to crack a case for which there is no clue. But soon anonymous letters will begin to arrive, like mental games of a sick mind that only the tormented inspector can solve.
As expected, the personal conflict intersects with the criminal plot. Doesn't the detective's possible failure to save the girls in danger resonate in his mind with his inability to be an adequate father to his young daughter? Doesn't irreversibly injured and threatened innocence bring back unmanageable memories of his former military life? As Rebus sets out to solve the case by following each piece of information, he too walks a razor's edge to a potential psychic breakdown.
The development of Knots and Crosses reflects the complexity of its characters' psychology, showcasing a rich plot full of symbolism and emotion. This novel is a prime example of the use of Celtic symbols in contemporary literature. As Rebus delves deeper into his investigation, elements of his past become disturbingly intertwined.
This concludes our article on Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin. If you found this article interesting, you're probably a fan of the noir genre.
If you wish to explore more about the literary world and its symbols, we invite you to read about Peter Paul Rubens , a theme that also appears in Knots and Crosses.
As you delve deeper into the work of Ian Rankin, it is interesting to note how his characters reflect features of Scottish culture and history, which can be compared to other texts dealing with types of plowmen , showing the different facets of human nature.
The novel Knots and Crosses is not only a work of fiction, but also a mirror that reflects the complexity of modern society, resonating with current issues addressed in literature.
