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

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.