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sarahareinhard's review against another edition
5.0
The book includes 67 essays, some of which are published for the first time in this collection. The variety of topics covered is diverse and delightful.
There's something astounding about a volume that can contain a playful exposition about chasing your hat (and why it's fun and comical) and a serious discussion of why we need to understand philosophy.
I've heard Chesterton called a prophet, and reading a few of these essays made me understand why. He wrote a century ago, but his writing is relevant, real, and radical to us in the here-and-now.
This was one of my favorite recent reads. It's also a book that you would do well to put by your armchair and pick up every so often. You're sure to be amused and challenged in equal proportion and in ways that will surprise you.
Highly recommended.
There's something astounding about a volume that can contain a playful exposition about chasing your hat (and why it's fun and comical) and a serious discussion of why we need to understand philosophy.
I've heard Chesterton called a prophet, and reading a few of these essays made me understand why. He wrote a century ago, but his writing is relevant, real, and radical to us in the here-and-now.
This was one of my favorite recent reads. It's also a book that you would do well to put by your armchair and pick up every so often. You're sure to be amused and challenged in equal proportion and in ways that will surprise you.
Highly recommended.
howattp's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
I started this on February 18, 2023, just 5 days short of a year ago, when I wanted to try reading G.K. Chesterton, a man oft-quoted but whom I’d never read (other than a few failed attempts at his fiction). This book deserved a more full review on the blog, but it’s got so much brilliance, wit, and truth infused throughout its 67 essays. I’ll dive into a few of them later on. However, suffice it to say, I now know why Chesterton is so continually quoted, and why his wisdom and wit must not be forgotten.
catrink's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't a book to sit down and read over a weekend. Most of the essays are quite short and on diverse topics. The editors of the volume drew together what they considered the best of Chesterton's essays. Chesterton's literary voice is strong and,almost a century later, unique. Occasionally a choice of terms can be jarring given the very different time from which he hails but this is rare and well worth the time to read. If you like Chesterton and only know him from his fiction, this is is a wonderful introduction to his much larger body of work.
kristensreadingnook's review against another edition
3.0
I fully admit that my rating is most likely caused by many of the essays going right over my head. This was my first experience with GKC. I didn't dislike the essays, I just didn't understand all of them.
verydazedragon's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
G. K. Chesterton is a brilliantly clever man, deeply reflective of his time. I give him all the credit for being a logical, lucid thinker who reasons out his arguments humorously. I would never be so shallow as to lower ratings due to a difference of opinion or a poorly ages anecdote; he receives four stars due to his occasional tendency to overstate a point, or to ramble on at will. I was RIVETED to his lecture on Mary, Queen of Scots.
notafraidofvirginiawoolf's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely a delight.
Am not coherent enough to describe how much I adore some of these--many of these--essays. My God, GKC, can you make nothing dull?
Laughed out loud much too often. 12/10 would recommend.
Am not coherent enough to describe how much I adore some of these--many of these--essays. My God, GKC, can you make nothing dull?
Laughed out loud much too often. 12/10 would recommend.
danielmcgregor76's review
2.0
I love GK Chesterton. His ability to look at the object of his gaze and view it completely differently than anyone else (and most times view it rightly for the first time) is astonishing. However, I found it simply impossible to read this book straight through. You step from something serious to something trivial with each new essay. I would have appreciated a paragraph of context that could give me a framework for interpreting each of these essays/articles. I disciplined my way through this book, but just barely.
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