The Napoleon of Notting Hill / The Man Who Was Thursday

by G.K. Chesterton

The Napoleon of Notting Hill, Chesterton's first novel, tells the story of residents of a London suburb who take up arms and declare their independence from England. The Man Who was Thursday, his most famous novel, tells the story of a policeman who becomes unwittingly--and unwillingly--caught up in a resistance group that is infiltrating a secret organization of anarchists.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Fantasy

375 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2010

About the author

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary and art critic.

He was educated at St. Paul’s, and went to art school at University College London. In 1900, he was asked to contribute a few magazine articles on art criticism, and went on to become one of the most prolific writers of all time. He wrote a hundred books, contributions to 200 more, hundreds of poems, including the epic Ballad of the White Horse, five plays, five novels, and some two hundred short stories, including a popular series featuring the priest-detective, Father Brown. In spite of his literary accomplishments, he considered himself primarily a journalist. He wrote over 4000 newspaper essays, including 30 years worth of weekly columns for the Illustrated London News, and 13 years of weekly columns for the Daily News. He also edited his own newspaper, G.K.’s Weekly.

Chesterton was equally at ease with literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology.

Reviews

[Cheryl Okimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very intrigued by these novels. It is interesting to read something written a hundred years ago and discover how little things have change! Sure people don't get horse-driven cabs in London anymore, but the problems that Chesterton wrote about are very similar to the ones we face today. He helped me get a better perspective on what's happening in America in 2020. I especially appreciated the way he was able to illustrate how everyone has a different perspective on everything that happens, and what seems weird can make sense if you change your perspective. But he doesn't say that reality is fluid. There is Truth, but you can only find it when you step out of your own narrow view and see through other people's eyes.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chesterton is brilliant as always.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man Who Was Thursday
Read 8/14/23-8/26/23
This wasn’t what I expected, but it was fantastic. I must read it again someday.

[Andalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very interesting read. I'm particularly interested in crime fiction so this book was a different perspective on the crime plot. The religious themes in the text was even more odd because usually crime fiction is not centered on this type of theme and the apocalyptic vision that Chesterton has in the novel. It is very conflicted. Chesterton has a very unique writing style similar to Dickins with his short sentences and matter of fact remarks. He leaves little to the reader to assess about life with some of the proclamations, but at the same time the book makes you feel like you are on drugs when your reading it. You don't need drugs, just read this book.

[Amazing Grace Resource Center · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of G. K. Chesterton's less well-known classics combined in one volume. Famous for his moral and metaphysical defenses of Catholic dogma as well as for his detective stories featuring the insightful Father Brown, Chesterton depicts a society becoming increasingly dehumanized as it moves into the modern age in the tales collected here with his characteristic wit and grace. Recommended for anyone interested in quirky visions of early 20th century England with a deeply philosophical bent.
-Nathanael

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a hilarious read! And as always with Chesterton there is seriousness behind his comedy.The serious theme of this book seemed me to be the danger of seeing life as only a joke, and also being fanatical in what one believes. The way it ended was really mysterious, and I am still thinking about it. Also in the book, which is also in The Man Who Was Thursday and Man Alive, is Chesterton's sense of wonder at the world :)

[Talbot Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can this man produce anything which is not perfect? Can he not write a sentence that is not itself a poem? Can he promote an idea which does not convince? Can he probe the soul so as not to rouse beauty and meaning?

Can I finish one of his works and not be forcibly stunned to colossal, aching silence for that which I just encountered?

I believe the answer to be: "No".



http://www.chesterton.org/who-is-this...

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Dr Bull says in the The Man Who Was Thursday, "I understand nothing, but I am happy. In fact, I am going to sleep."