Meaning: We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country

Question

Hi teachers,
The book is 'The President's Murderer' and the author is Jennifer Basett
The thing is that Dinon never wrote a book. They never mentioned that in the story. Felix and Adam are detectives who are looking for Dinon because he has escaped from prison and is supposed to be the President's murderer.

What is the meaning of ‘We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country'.

Text:
Felix and Adam talked to a lot of people and asked a lot of questions in that small town, but they learned nothing. Later, back in the office, Felix was very quiet. Suddenly he looked at Adam across the desk, and said: ‘We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country. Do you know it, Adam?’ ‘No,’ Adam said.

Thanks in advance.

Surfer · Accepted Answer

Hello TS.

I think it means they can't get any knowledge or information about his movements and/or locations as to track him down in that country.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Surfer,

Thanks for your reply. Are you absolutely sure about that?

TS

Surfer · Answer

Thinking SpainThanks for your reply. Are you absolutely sure about that?

No, so you'd better wait for other opinions.

Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes! Did he write a book about the old President?' 'He killed the President,' Adam said. 'He murdered him.' 'Oh yes,' the shopkeeper said. 'I remember now. It was a good book. But the President's murderer did not come into my shop this morning.' Felix watched the shopkeeper's face carefully. 'My question', he said, 'asked about Alex Dinon.' The shopkeeper looked at Felix and smiled slowly. 'That's right,' he said. Felix and Adam talked to a lot of people and asked a lot of questions in that small town, but they learned nothing. Later, back in the office, Felix was very quiet. Suddenly he looked at Adam across the desk, and said 'We can't get Dinon's book in this country. Do you know it, Adam?' 'No,' Adam said. Felix stared at the telephone on his desk. 'Where is Dinon?' he said slowly. 'People are helping him, but why? He's a murderer. And nobody wants to help us.' 'People never help the police in this country,' Adam said. 'People don't like us.' 'Why are we policemen, Adam?' 'It's a good job,' Adam said. 'And the money's good.' 26 After a minute or two Felix said, 'Did Dinon murder the President? What do you think, Adam?' 'Well, why did they put him in prison, then?' 'That doesn't answer my question,' Felix said. 'I do my job,' Adam said, 'and I don't ask questions.' Felix looked at him, but said nothing.

Detective Felix thinks the local people are helping Dinon to get away. His belief is, no matter how much they try, they won't get a single copy of the book. None would give them one, even if they have one.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Doctorlf,
Thanks for your reply, but I think the shopkeeper seems to be prattling about a book in order to avoid other questions. In fact, I think the shopkeeper is being sarcastic. That's why he gets on Felix and Adam's nerves. Don't you think so?
TS

Fivejedjon · Answer

Thinking Spain:Felix and Adam talked to a lot of people and asked a lot of questions in that small town, but they learned nothing. Later, back in the office, Felix was very quiet. Suddenly he looked at Adam across the desk, and said: ‘We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country. Do you know it, Adam?’ ‘No,’ Adam said. Thanks in advance.

In the lines before this, the shopkeeper has been stalling When asked about Dinon, he says, Did he write a book about the old President?' He knows that Dinon did not write a book; this is just part of his attempts to pretend that he does not know Dinon or anything about him. In the dialogue you mention (Felix and Adam talked to a lot of people and asked a lot of questions in that small town, but they learned nothing. Later, back in the office, Felix was very quiet. Suddenly he looked at Adam across the desk, and said: ‘We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country. Do you know it, Adam?’ ‘No,’ Adam said.)The policemen appear to be realising that there is no such book.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

fivejedjonIn the lines before this, the shopkeeper has been stalling When asked about Dinon, he says, Did he write a book about the old President?' He knows that Dinon did not write a book

Hi fivejedjon,
Excatly! the shopkeeper knows that Dinon didn't write a book.

fivejedjon This is just part of his attempts to pretend that he does not know Dinon or anything about him. In the dialogue you mention

That's what I thought too.

fivejedjonSuddenly he looked at Adam across the desk, and said: ‘We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country. Do you know it, Adam?’ ‘No,’ Adam said.)The policemen appear to be realising that there is no such book.

This is the one I would have never thought by myself. Thanks a lot.

TS

Meaning: We can’t get Dinon’s book in this country

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