Summary
Overview
In Chapter 8 of Steve Bruce's novel 'Striker', protagonist Steve Barnes escapes his Irish kidnappers by diving into a freezing upland reservoir and swimming its length. After stripping naked on the moors to dry his clothes in the sun, he's picked up by police who unexpectedly clear him of murder charges. The chapter features extensive swimming descriptions, unexpected comedy moments, and a puzzlingly abrupt resolution to Barnes' legal troubles.
Escape into the Reservoir
Steve Barnes plunges into an icy reservoir to escape armed kidnappers, removing his socks and trainers before swimming. He reflects on his physical fitness and the human will to survive, driven by his desire to support his wife Susan and children. Despite the brutal cold penetrating to his bones, Barnes powers through the swim with the determination of an athlete, though he admits he underestimated how difficult it would be.
- Barnes surfaces after hitting the water, struggling to retain consciousness but drawing on reserves of strength a less fit man wouldn't possess
- He removes his trainers and socks before swimming, reasoning they would hinder him more than help despite keeping out the cold
- The swim proves far more challenging than expected - swimming in an upland reservoir during inclement weather requires proper training and preparation
- Barnes compares himself to English Channel swimmers who cover themselves in oils and fats, wishing someone had dipped him in axle grease
- The cold eats into 'the whole fibre of his being' and he swears his bones are chilled right through to the marrow
" In times of extreme crisis, the human mind and body can withstand extreme pain. Faced with death, we're able to summon from within ourselves a source of power and strength we never dreamed we possessed. "
" I don't advise anyone to swim in an upland reservoir at any time of year. Certainly not during a period of inclement weather. "
Swimming Survival Philosophy
Interspersed throughout the swimming sequence, Barnes offers philosophical reflections on human survival instincts, the power of the mind over body, and the primal urge to live. These musings reveal his tendency to pontificate even in life-threatening situations, mixing genuine insights about crisis survival with his characteristic verbose style.
- Barnes credits his physical fitness for surviving the shock of cold water that would prove too much for a less fit man
- He reflects that the will to survive is driven by desire to support his family and prove his innocence
- Even when the brain can't operate properly, an 'ancient will' works on automatic pilot
" Many was the time when I thought I could proceed no further, yet I knew I dared not to stop. Even to tread water, to gather extra energy, would have been a disaster. In times of human crisis, the brain is master. "
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