BBC：100部英国人最喜欢的文学作品].ArtemisFowl.pdf

Artemis Fowl 1

Artemis Fowl

EoinColfer

Prologue

How does one describe Artemis Fowl? Various psychiatrists have tried and failed. The
main problem is Artemis's own intelligence. He bamboozles every test thrown at him.
He has puzzled the greatest medical minds and sent many of them gibbering to their
own hospitals.
There is no doubt that Artemis is a child prodigy. But why does someone of such
brilliance dedicate himself to criminal activities? This is a question that can be answered
by only one person. And he delights in not talking.
Perhaps the best way to create an accurate picture of Artemis is to tell the by now
famous account of his first villainous venture. I have put together this report from
first-hand interviews with the victims, and as the tale unfolds you will realize that this
was not easy.
The story began several years ago, at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Artemis
Fowl had devised a plan to restore his family's fortune. A plan that could topple
civilizations and plunge the into a cross-species war.
He was twelve years old at the time ...
Chapter 1: THE BOOK

HO ChiMinh City in the summer. Sweltering by anyone's standards. Needless to say,
Artemis Fowl would not have been willing to put up with such fort if something
extremely important had not been at stake. Important to the plan.
Sun did not suit Artemis. He did not look well in it. Long hours indoors in front of the
monitor had bleached the glow from his skin. He was white as a vampire and almost as
testy in the light of day.
'I hope this isn't another wild-goose chase,Butler ,' he said, his voice soft and clipped.
'Especially afterCairo .'
It was a gentle rebuke. They hadtravelled toEgypt on the word ofButler 's informant.
'No, sir. I'm certain this time. Nguyen is a good man.'
'Hmm,' droned Artemis, unconvinced. Passers-by would have been amazed to hear
the large Eurasian refer to the boy as sir. This was, after all, the third millen