Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in Kensington in 1874. He was a late developer, only reaching adolescence in his late teens, and this gave him a somewhat skewed perspective on life.
What a description! Have you ever wondered what people will write about you when you’re gone?
The quote above is from the blurb in Father Brown: selected stories (published by “Collector’s Library”), which I’m currently reading.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read fiction by Chesterton. In fact, it’s been a long time since I’ve read any fiction! I enjoy the humor and little snatches of Christianity. I also enjoy expanding my vocabulary, since the early 20th century British style offers a few more sophisticated words than my beginning English classes!
Point well taken! I remember once reading a book by Thomas Hardy and the intoduction said something similar - about how immature he was in his teens, only going out on his own in his twenties. And that is ALL I remember about Thomas Hardy apart from the names of his books! How sad is that?
ReplyDeleteJust thinking - we'd "conversed" before about fiction and whether or not fiction could have a positive spiritual impact. One of my favorite authors is British also, Elizabeth Goudge. Her books had a profound spiritual impact on me....even though they might be considered rather light fiction. But they are wonderful and do make you think.
ReplyDeleteI've read some Elizabeth Goudge as well.
ReplyDeleteI used to read Agatha Christie and had nightmares, but so far no ill effects from Father Brown. I do have to be careful, though.