This world of ours has some purpose; and if there is a purpose, there is a Person. I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story, there is a Storyteller. ~G.K. Chesterton
[I love books, and so do you, so just for fun, a book review!]
You find yourself in a cozy tavern, a warm refuge from the rain pelting the roof above. The fire is generous, the drinks are hot and the conversation merry.
But you mostly listen, enthralled by the literary giant seated before you. Armed with a satirical wit, towering intellect, deep curiosity and a grateful attentiveness to all of God’s created world, he blasts away at your shallow assumptions.
You leave the conversation nourished, challenged, overwhelmed, and not surprised C.S. Lewis regarded this man as a catalyst to his own faith journey.
So I felt after wading through the works of C.K. Chesterton.
His books aren’t easily digested–I imagine the author was accustomed to more robust readers than are found today. Fortunately, in A Year With G.K. Chesterton, Kevin Belmonte provides a way to experience Chesterton one chewable tidbit at a time.
Belmonte has compiled a wide range of materials into a 365 daily format. Each day includes a scripture verse followed by excerpts from Chesterton’s writings. Politics, literature, philosophy, theology–no topic is left unexplored by his lively mind. In addition, interesting glimpses of Chesterton life events are scattered throughout.
This is a great book to give as a stocking stuffer, or to keep on your night stand for a daily dose of his wisdom.
A couple of thoughts:
- This is not a “daily devotional” of the 5-minute-check-in-with-God genre. Nor does it claim to be. Some days you will be inspired, others, not so much; some passages you will understand, others may puzzle you. Keep a highlighter handy–Chesterton is a very quotable writer.
- If you are not familiar with the political, literary and philosophical climate of the early 20th century, some topics may confuse you. But that’s what Wikipedia is for! Become educated as well as encouraged (smile).
If you prefer a book of just quotations, Belmonte has also published The Quotable Chesterton: The Wit and Wisdom of G.K. Chesterton.
I’ve added it to my wish list!
Have you read G.K. Chesterton? What did you think?
Will write for free books! [BookSneeze provided me with a complementary copy of this book and I am not obligated to give a positive review].
Thomas Nelson product page: click here.
Amazon.com preview: click here.
4 replies on “A Year With G.K. Chesterton by Kevin Belmonte, ed.”
I wish I’d known about this before attempting “Orthodoxy”, a book I’ve launched and relaunched three times now and simply gave up. Very quotable but feels like swimming through mud. His novels are very fun however and teach many profundities generally reserved for more ivory tower endeavors.
Robert, I read Orthodoxy from the back forward. It helped!
I have read quite a bit of Chesterton and always enjoy it. There are many people and movements he mentions that I know nothing about, as you mention. I found out there is a series of publications by Ignatius Press that includes notes on his works. I have not yet checked it out.
Marilyn, that sounds helpful. What I know about the people and movements is mainly from reading fiction set in his time!