Manalive (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

By G. K. Chesterton

When Innocent Smith arrives at Beacon House, a London boarding establishment, he turns the lives of the residents and staff upside-down with his contagious enthusiasms.  But when he is suddenly accused of the most terrible crimes, it seems Smith is not so Innocent after all.  Yet in the works of Chesterton, nothing is as it seems . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble
• Release date: Feb 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781411436350

G. K. Chesterton

G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936) was an English writer, philosopher and critic known for his creative wordplay. Born in London, Chesterton attended St. Paul’s School before enrolling in the Slade School of Fine Art at University College. His professional writing career began as a freelance critic where he focused on art and literature. He then ventured into fiction with his novels The Napoleon of Notting Hill and The Man Who Was Thursday as well as a series of stories featuring Father Brown.

Reviews for Manalive (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

[le.vert.galant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This comic novel encapsulates everything about Chesterton that appealed to Borges. It's hilariously funny and surreal, with the author's animus against pomposity in full force. Needless to say, the prose is excellent.

Chesterton claimed that "the normal was abnormal," that modern life forced people into paradoxical situations. For example, we are able to experience the glory of the highest pride and the awe of the meekest humility at the same time. Chesterton saw this as a manifestation of Original Sin and that a return to innocence was only possible for holy fools, such as this novel's central character.