The Informer (novel)

1st edition cover
(David Draiman)

The Informer is a novel by Irish writer Liam O'Flaherty published in 1925. It received the 1925 James Tait Black Memorial Prize. (As seen on the back cover)- "In this profound novel set in the aftermath of the Irish Civil War, Gypo Nolan, a brute of a man in need of a night's lodging, informs on a friend who is wanted by the authorities. With the reward, Noal carouses through the public houses and brothels of Dublin. But the fun comes to a quick end when the Revolutionary Organization, a ruthless group of outlaws, hunts Nolan down and tries him in a secret trial, wherein justice is rigid and often deadly. Survival becomes a contest between two wills- pure animal force vs. ideological passion- which in the end brings both retribution and salvation."

Plot summary

Set in 1920's Dublin the novel centers on Gypo Nolan. Having disclosed the whereabouts of his friend Frankie McPhillip to the police, Gypo finds himself hunted by his revolutionary comrades for this betrayal. Using his muscle, and his empty intellect, he gets caught in his own lies and tries to escape. After the Irish Civil War, Gypo was in dire straights, living off the street and the occasional meal given to him out of pity, he does something terrible. He turns his friend in to the authorities for murder. He doesn't even realize he does it!

Character list

• Gypo Nolan - The informer of the novel's title, he is an ex-policeman and member of the Revolutionary Organization.

• Frankie McPhillip - Gypo Nolan's "bosom friend" and a member of the Revolutionary Organization, he is wanted for a murder committed during a farm labourers' strike and is betrayed to the police by Gypo. The brains between the "Devil's Twins."

• Dan Gallagher - A commandant of the Revolutionary Organization bent on finding and killing the informer. He uses fear, anger and death as ways to keep his leadership. He seduces people into following him or falling in love with him.

• Bartley Mulholland - Gallagher's man. He is a lieutenant in the Revolutionary Organization. He is one of the "hunters" after Gypo Nolan. He has a family and fully admits he is still working for Gallagher to keep them safe.

• Katie Fox - Gypo Nolan's sometimes lover. She helped Gypo when he was in need before he turned Informer. She is also greedy and on drugs. She would do anything for her next fix.

• Mary McPhillip - Jack McPhillip's little sister. She tries to be different then her family. She wants to marry into a rich family so she can live comfortably. She also is associated with Dan Gallagher.

• Peter "Rat" Mulligan - He takes the fall for Gypo. His nickname is obviously another animal reference that O'Flaherty makes throughout the book.

• Connemara Maggie - Works for Aunt Betty. She stands for the country, which O'Flaherty uses to contrast the "evil" of the city. She takes care of Gypo Nolan for a short period of time, and does something nice that she didn't have to do.

Many more Minor Characters:

• 3 Old Men
• Clerk at the House
• Tommy Connor
• Countless Old Ladies
• Joseph Augustine Short
• Susie Mulligan
• Biddy Burke
• Aunty Betty
• Englishwoman- Phyllis
• Barney Kerrigan
• Three Judges
• Peter Hackett
• Dart Flynn
• Laurence Curley
• Louisa Cummins

Adaptations

Most famously, the novel was made into a film of the same name by John Ford in 1935 starring Victor McLaglen as Gypo Nolan.

An earlier film adaptation also named The Informer was directed by Arthur Robison in 1929.