book report: The Quotable Chesterton, ed. Belmonte (2010)

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If you are like me, and know little to nothing about Chesterton, then don't do what I did and start in the middle of the book. However, if you are a fan then go right ahead. I was lost trying to bumble my way through an alphabetical list of topics, until I read the first of 10 essays spread throughout the book. As I learned more and more about Chesterton as Christian apologist, mystery writer, essayist, friends with great artists, man of letters, journalist, literary critic, novelist, philosopher and poet, I became more and more appreciative of the quotes Belmonte selected. I now have many pages dog eared for quotes to share on Facebook. Here is an example of one I liked.
It has often been said, very truly, that religion is the thing that makes the ordinary man feel extraordinary; it is an equally important truth that religion is the thing that makes the extraordinary man feel ordinary.
p.225, from his critical study of Charles Dickens. If you have a friend who already likes G. K. Chesterton, then this would make a terrific gift. Likewise, if you are already a fan and want to make someone else a fan, this is a terrific gift.
I received a complimentary copy for review from Booksneeze, and in return I promised my honest review.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
I saw this book in the bookstore yesterday as I was looking to upgrade my Chesterton collection. At this point all I had read was "Orthodoxy". So I picked up "Heretics", "The Everlasting Man", and "St. Thomas Aquinas".

My favorite Chesterton witticism? His letter to the editor of the London Times regarding a essay called "whats wrong with the world".

"To The Editor,

In response to your essay "What's wrong with the world": I am.

Yours Truly,
G.K. Chesterton


...classic.

-David Carson
January 17, 2011
John Umland said…
That's a good one Dave, thanks for sharing.
God is good
jpu
January 17, 2011
Barry K. Wilde said…
Been a Chesterton fan for some time now and have read the usual suspects and also a really good biography by Joseph Pearce of Ave Maria University called "Wisdom and Innocence". (I will post a picture for you with me reading it some years ago). Interesting to compare that with Chesterton's autobiography by the way. Since I am now into some detective fiction, I will attempt to read some "Father Brown".
"Where ought I to be?"
January 23, 2011
John Umland said…
And usually had no idea where or when his next appointment was. He did much of his writing in train stations, since he usually missed the train he was supposed to catch. In one famous anecdote, he wired his wife, saying, "Am at Market Harborough. Where ought I to be?" His faithful wife, Frances, attended to all the details of his life, since he continually proved he had no way of doing it himself. She was later assisted by a secretary, Dorothy Collins, who became the couple’s surrogate daughter, and went on to become the writer’s literary executrix, continuing to make his work available after his death. from http://www.chesterton.org/discover/who.html
January 23, 2011
Barry K. Wilde said…
Some have said and supposed that he may have had Aspergers.
January 24, 2011
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