The Man Who Was Thursday: Centennial Edition

By: G. K. Chesterton, Chesterton Books

Narrated by: Nigel Peever

This audiobook is wonderfully narrated by British actor Nigel Peever, who brings the story to life. Published by Chesterton Books.

Public Domain (P)2018 Chesterton Books

Critic reviews

"G. K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday is a wacky, nightmarish, deliriously well-written adventure story for grownups in which nothing is what it seems and everyone wears a mask, whether figurative or literal. It's hard to think of a more thrilling book." (Kate Christensen, Time magazine's Summer Reading List 2009)

Better after my 2nd listen

So glad I listened again! I was disappointed with the ending after my first listen...an ending which will not lend itself to those who feel compelled to skip to the end. It's a clever twist on a mystery with clever twists and both funny and profound. The narrator delivered a great performance with different voices and accents. I will listen to this again for those times when I wish to escape my thoughts.

Peever Does Great Justice to Chesterton

As a long time Chesterton fan, I've read this book numerous times but this was my first listen. It was an absolute treat! Peever performs the book rather than just narrating it. His voices make the characters believable and quite entertaining. I will listen to this countless times. It's such a deep story and Peever does justice to Chesterton's writing. I picked up some nuances I hadn't noticed in reading the book. So glad I purchased this. I look forward to seeking out Peever's other audiobooks.

Stellar performance of a somewhat lackluster story

The story isn't bad, just not one I'd be likely to listen to again. Chesterton was a terrific writer, but this story leaves me desiring something more. Nigel's performance was the only reason I pushed through it to the end. He always does a fantastic job and saved the story as much as was possible.

An intricate and gaslit duel of the mind

With the absurd charm of good English manners among dilettantes and aristocrats overlying the sense of danger, this is a lovely and intricate little faberge egg of a work revolving around a pitched battle between two men of wits. It's the perfect listen on a rainy or snowy day. Grab a blanket and a cup of tea, snuggle down and enjoy.

There are few books as audacious and ravishing

I can hardly speak of Chesterton’s crowning text. It is the rarest of books, and it batters me every time.

Instead, a few words about the production. When I first heard Peever’s voice in a short excerpt, I thought it far too stuffy to carry this most comical and grace of books. But after listening to his entire performance, I find no fault. In fact, his seems the perfect voice for The Man Who Was Thursday. I am less enchanted with the occasional music, but my only real complaint is that it swallows the last word of the book in its fanfare. A worthy production of an incredible work.