Day of the Jackal, Carlos the Jackal, Black Warrant — Stories which both Fascinate and Free Us
Jackal and Charles Sobhraj are two characters who have kept us hooked for a long time. I remember reading about them back in the seventies, and it is a miracle that they remain as relevant as ever. It is no surprise that we have two mega hits in quick succession — one where Sobhraj is a key figure (Black Warrant), and the other entirely on Jackal (The Day of the Jackal).
While Sobhraj is the real (he is now around 80 years old, has been released because of his old age, and is staying in France), Jackal is a fictional character created by Frederick Forsyth.
Or is it? Then who is Carlos the Jackal? Is he the inspiration behind the Jackal?
Illich Ramirez Sanchez, also known as Carlos the Jackal, is a leftist Venezuelan who is responsible for a series of terrorist attacks between 1973 and 1985. Son of a hardcore Marxist, he operated across continents causing mayhems and deaths with support from KGB and Stasi, before being apprehended in Sudan. Aged 75 now, Illich is now serving a life sentence in France.
So how did Illich become the jackal? The Day of the Jackal novel was discovered during a raid at Illich’s London safe house, and the moniker stuck. Was Illich a fan of Jackal? Appears no, the book belonged to one of his accomplices.
Another account says that after a shootout in Paris, police used Jackal as a pseudonym. Though Illich’s preferred code was Johny.
What is the truth? We will never know. But the book written in 1971, inspired by the assassination attempt of Charles De Gaulle by Jean Marie Bastien Thiry, clearly got mixed up with the life of a global assassin. In a rather curious way.
Why do these stories fascinate us? Well, I think we all have a desire to be someone who the likes of Carlos Sobhraj and Illich represent. A smart, fit, ruthless, iconoclast, lonely hero who is taking over the rich and the powerful. They are focused, very good in their trade, elusive, and a heart of steel.
Human society through the ages and ideologies is always the same — a small group of people dominating over the large majority. We all beyond the charmed circles feel deep angst, but we are helpless. These nebulous silent assassins give us the vicarious release.
So here we are — The Day of the Jackal is rocking. So is a Black Warrant. And more of these will come.
So long as the structure of the world remains the same, so will be the currency of these escapades. It gives us freedom, though imaginary.
