Unusual and delightful

One of Chesterton's best-known works, The Man Who Was Thursday is beguiling, delightful and sometimes very funny. Toby Longworth does a marvellous job; his characterisations are excellent and his accents a bonus. Highly recommended.

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Perhaps this author's best novel?

I was given a book of father Brown short stories decades ago, and, like many before me, found them utter drivel. I understand that they are regarded as seminal in the genre, but to base the solution of a crime on, for example, the attending priest at a French execution coming away, surreptitiously, with the head of the offender seems beyond absurd to me. I have subsequently read and enjoyed the odd GKC poem - what would we do without the rolling English drunkard who made the rolling English road.
However, for a non-believer, and especially a non- catholic, much of his writing fails to engage.
The present book begins as a very unlikely farce and degenerates into a fantasy provoked, apparently, by excess communion wine.
That said, the quality of the writing is actually good, the story is sufficiently singular to hold the attention and the narration is good.
If only the author had taken the time to write an ending rather than juddering to an unsatisfying halt, it might be possible to actively recommend the book. As it is, the best I can say is that I don't feel the time spent on this was altogether wasted.

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Strange fantastical farce

Hmmm - not sure what to make of this. Storyline is decent but weird. Good use of language and descriptive prose. But it descends into a strange allegorical tale towards the end. It was my first try at GK Chesterton and I'm not sure if I'll try another. The narrator was amazing though with a host of different voices.

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Unusual

Don't expect Father Brown. This is a philisophy thriller very much of the Edwardian era. A great period piece. If you like Wilkie Collins then you would probably get on withthis book. Very enjoyable and a nice surprise.

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3 people found this helpful

A Cut Above

That G. K. Chesterton was a renowned writer and essayist becomes clear in this thought- provoking tale: his writerly touches in setting scenes; the thoughts which pass through his protagonist’s mind; the brief asides; and, above all the unexpected plot and its ironies. Nothing trite here, despite the excitement turn-and-turn-about. (I leave details deliberately vague). Is this a skit on anarchism, when their nest slowly depletes…? Or something much deeper, in the final face- off between light and darkness? Or deeper still in the Ascension of Sunday, who is neither… . His Cosmic laughter.

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So pleased to have eventually listened to this

I’ve started this several times over the years, and didn’t give it a chance. Today, being between books, I downloaded this free book, and now realise how witty and marvellous it is, nothing like what I was expecting! Very well narrated too.

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Unexpectedly superb

Initially unsure what to expect from this read - possibly influenced by general ambivalence to spy fiction, this approach was fuelled by curiosity at its influence as a forerunner to modern spy novels. What an absolutely wonderful book, and performance of it by Toby Longworth. It is written cleverly, slickly combines story with social commentary and comes alive in the animated and skilful telling. A triumph.

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A strange, delightful book

Witty, funny, and with a lot of profundity under the fun. You think you know where it's going but you're probably quite wrong, and several times. I'm still not quite sure I know what to make of it, but I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

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1 person found this helpful

Almost sereal

surprising I always enjoyed Father Brown books this different the charectors are take into a journey where no one is actually what they seem. I do not want to spoil it for anyone whom has not read it .

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The Man Who Was Thursday

I only knew GK Chesterton's Father Brown stories before I listened to this. This is a great read. I found it funny (especially with the different voices given to the characters by the narrator) and fast paced. Thoroughly recommended.

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9 people found this helpful