Manalive

A Novel

By: G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

This classic novel by the brilliant G. K. Chesterton tells the rollicking tale of Innocent Smith, a man who may be crazy - or possibly the most sane man of all. Arriving at a dreary London boarding house accompanied by a windstorm, Smith is an exuberant, eccentric, and sweet-natured man. Smith has a positive effect on the house - he creates his own court, brings a few couples together, and falls in love with a paid companion next door. All seems to be well with the world.

Then the unexpected happens: Smith shoots at one of the tenants, and two doctors arrive to arrest him, claiming that he's a bigamist, an attempted murderer, and a thief. But cynical writer Moon insists that the case be tried there - and they explore Smith's past history, revealing startling truths about what he does. Is he the wickedest man in Britain, or is he "blameless as a buttercup"?

Beautifully written, mixing the ridiculous with the profound, full of hilarious dialogue, and lushly detailed writing, Chesterton's main character Innocent Smith somehow manages to restore joy to all the dull and cynical lives around him. In this delightfully strange mystery, Chesterton demonstrates why life is worth living, and that sometimes we need a little madness just to know we are alive.

©1912; 2011 John Lane Company, NY; Ignatius Press (P)2010 Ignatius Press

Good book bad voices acting

Love the book but the narrator and his character voices are to over the top and distract from the story

Delightful Chesterton lunacy

An irresistible book by the irrepressible G K Chesterton, the man who best exemplified both the joy of fun and the seriousness of living! I did find the narrator far too broad and dramatic during Chapter One, but I soon settled into his style, which is well-suited to the material. I reckon the only reason this novel is lesser known (at least among Christendom) is that the 21st century constitution wants to leap in to defend all people from any poke or broad depiction. I wonder, though, if it is not Chesterton’s own country and sex who get the butt of the equal-opportunity levity.

A hidden gem brought to new light

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I’ve been waiting for it to come in a good dramatic audio version. This exceeded my expectations. Excellent reader. If you’ve never experienced Chesterton take the plunge here. It’s a great ride.

Excellent exploration of life

This is not my first of Chesterton's works but I think so far it is my favorite. I wish I had read this years ago. Books like this, with views like this just are not written today.

Are you alive?

If you get confused, just keep reading. This is not your average book. The story line changes and morphs but the main point is clear—just because your breathing doesn’t mean your alive. This book will make you think about your life and wether your are just swept along by customs into unhappiness or if your are seeking to follow the creeds (God) into fullness of joy.

Great Book!

A modern day (1900) fairytale by one of my favorite authors. Chesterton’s ability to write parables and allegories is amazing!

Fun

I laughed so much. The book was too interesting to not finish it as soon as I could. The message makes you think about Life. I really like this author and his Father Brown stories also.

Get a hard copy and read that

Having read the hard copy I gave the audio a try for a quick re-read for another does of the medicine this book is to one’s outlook on life. I was sorely disappointed in the narration as he goes so over the top in trying to capture Chesterton’s silliness, that he presents the book in an insufferably annoying voice for each of the characters. The book is one of the most life-giving and spiritually most rejuvenating reads I’ve experienced and is the foundation for any of my higher ideals of romance and good living. Read the book and let it de-age you, don’t listen to this.

To Miss This Book Would Be A Profound Tragedy

Few books writ
And few words read
Deserve to crest
A human’s head
But to the end
As from its start
This book deserves
Your head and heart.

Wonderful

Fun to listen to, a story with a beautiful moral
Would recommend to anyone!