Book Cover of The Man Who was Thursday

The Man Who was Thursday

by Gilbert K. Chesterton

Two poets in a London park at sunset, debating on the attributes of poetry and whether it's really a metaphor for anarchy. A group that meets in secret, planning to overthrow the world order. Disguises and deceptions, ideals and ideology. A medley of themes and genres makes this a great read for anyone who's a fan of Chesterton and his iconic Father Brown. The Man Who Was Thursday includes Chesterton's favorite theme of Christianity with touches of delightful humor to enliven the twists and turns that abound throughout the book. Set in the early part of the twentieth century, the novel's main protagonist, Gabriel Syme is a Scotland Yard detective who's assigned to break the trend of anarchic groups mushrooming all over London. He hides his true identity and takes on the role of a poet. He meets Lucian Gregory, also a poet, and they become friends. One evening, they get into a passionate debate on the true function of poetry and whether it is a symbol of revolution. As the debate rages on, Gregory is incensed and indiscreet enough to confess that he is part of a secret group that espouses anarchy. The group meets in a remote public house in Chiswick on the banks of the Thames and Gregory invites Syme to join them that evening, to prove that he (Gregory) is indeed a true blue anarchist. At the meeting, Syme discovers that the group of seven are all code named by days of the week. Currently, the slot of Thursday is vacant and Gregory is a strong contender for the post. The rest of the story describes how Syme is drawn into the group and uncovers some of its deepest and most incredible secrets. The final conclusion is typical Chesterton – almost unbelievable and totally unexpected! Orson Welles, who was one of Chesterton's most devoted fans directed the first radio adaptation of The Man Who was Thursday in 1938. Since then, the book has been adapted for radio readings and a film was also planned based on the book, though it wasn't made. The appeal of the book lies in its extremely readable style, exciting twists and turns of plot, memorable characters and the lyrical descriptions of Edwardian London. For die-hard Chesterton fans, this would be a great new addition to their list, while those whose good fortune it is to encounter Chesterton for the first time in this novel will certainly enjoy the experience!

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1908

Author

Gilbert K. Chesterton image

Chesterton wrote around 80 books, several hundred poems, some 200 short stories, 4,000 essays (mostly newspaper columns), and several plays. He was a literary and social critic, historian, playwright,...

More on Gilbert K. Chesterton

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

The Yellow Claw Cover image

The Yellow Claw by Sax Rohmer

The Yellow Claw is a 1915 crime novel by Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward, known better under his pseudonym of Sax Rohmer. The story features Gaston Max,...

Six Little Ducklings Cover image

Six Little Ducklings by Katharine Pyle

On a foggy morning in the enchanting woodlands of Willowbrook, an extraordinary tale of bravery and friendship is about to unfold. In this heartwarmi...

The Outdoor Girls on Pine Island Cover image

The Outdoor Girls on Pine Island by Laura Lee Hope

It follows the story of a group of friends - Betty, Mollie, Amy, and Grace - as they embark on a journey to Pine Island, a secluded and mysterious isl...

The Late Tenant Cover image

The Late Tenant by Louis Tracy

In the peaceful English countryside lies a house with a dark secret—a mystery waiting to be unraveled. Enter "The Late Tenant" by Louis Tracy, a gripp...

The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp Cover image

The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp by Laura Lee Hope

Step into the enchanting world of summer adventure in "The Bobbsey Twins at Cedar Camp" by Laura Lee Hope. A sunlit haven awaits as the lovable Bobbse...

The City at World's End Cover image

The City at World's End by Edmond Hamilton

Readers are transported to the sleepy town of Middletown. Nestled in the serene hills of Connecticut, life is peaceful until an unforeseen catastrophe...

New Arabian Nights  Cover image

New Arabian Nights by Robert Louis Stevenson

New Arabian Nights is a collection of short stories which include Robert Louis Stevenson's earliest fiction as well as those considered his best work...

The Revolt on Venus (Dramatic Reading) Cover image

The Revolt on Venus (Dramatic Reading) by Carey Rockwell

The book takes place in the distant future, where humanity has colonized the planets of our solar system. In this world, the people of Venus are ruled...

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab Cover image

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume

In the bustling streets of 19th-century Melbourne, a dark secret hides within the confines of a seemingly innocent hansom cab. Welcome to "The Mystery...

Colin: A Novel Cover image

Colin: A Novel by E. F. Benson

In the charming world of Colin, secrets are woven into the very fabric of society, and behind the veneer of polite society lies a web of hidden desire...

Reviews for The Man Who was Thursday

No reviews posted or approved, yet...