Alright everybody, here goes!
The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund contains many important literary elements, which give the story a natural flow and rhythm. With this, it is difficult to notice such elements, but they are deeply seeded in every page. The setting of any book tells the place, time, atmosphere, mood, state of characters, where the story may go, and more. Setting in The Postcard Killers plays a major role with plot movement and even the understanding character’s roles. The beginning of the Postcard Killer’s murders began in the United States and the move onward to all regions of Europe. I want to further understand how and why Europe makes the story immobile and what movement and murders mean in relation to location. Within this paper, I would also like to compare the cultural boundaries and walls between Jacob and the Swedish police because of their different exposures to the United States and Europe. Throughout the book it is evident that Jacob has a concrete opinion of how the European police work versus how he works back in the United States. Jacob is often labeled as “the American” and the European characters have a similar title related to their background. Jacob’s anger obviously surrounds his daughter’s vicious murder, but it is also directed at the law and agents he is working with across the ocean. The setting seems to displace Jacob and make him an outsider, especially with language because he cannot understand Swedish. He is not a conventional character within Europe, nor is Dessie even though she has resided all over Europe. This book would be extremely different if it had taken place in the United States, which is small compared to the size of Europe. Also, it seems that authors are still portraying Europe as almost “mystical,” spacious, and full of opportunities. Many horror movies take place in Europe, as well. It seems that this would faze an American audience, especially someone who has not been abroad, more than someone who lives in Europe. In this paper I will research how setting can highlight a lot of social and cultural differences between characters, drives the plot and murders, and how it also enhances the imagination of a reader or specific audience.
If you can't tell, my thoughts and ideas are all over the place. Any suggestions or ideas would be amazing to hear. Thanks, everybody and have a great, relaxing weekend!
