More lovely surreal detection puzzles.

Our narrator and his friend, the mad judge, and his amateur detective brother embark on a series adventures all stemming from a mysterious club, a club which only people with bizarre jobs can join.

Chesterton is fast becoming one of my favourite writers. These series of linked short stories are all wildly inventive and wonderfully surreal, a sort of antidote to factual Sherlock Holmes detective stories. There is feeling of joy in his novels, a celebration of life even while it is delving into darkness. His odd way of looking at things allows you to think about them from a different point of view and while I don't always agree I am always intrigued and entertained. ( )

Not what it sounds like, all of you with minds in the gutter. Actually, it's six light-hearted 'detective' stories from 1905 all centring around the mysterious Club of Queer Trades - a secret society for people who have invented their own unusual professions. Like six bite sized and less serious versions of The Man who was Thursday. Chesterton's fire-side freakery is entirely lacking in cynicism and remains for me, unmatched. ( )

Despite the unfortunate title, this is a very entertaining book.
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This is pretty good and very similar to - although not nearly as sharp as - Sherlock Holmes stories. I must admit, I had never heard of Chesterton before and was a little hesitant to read him since he was part of the rabid Jesus-people. Although there is a little bit of preaching in this book, it's easy to overlook if you set your mind to it... The solutions to the "mysteries" are quite deux ex machina, but if you remember how long ago they were written, they're quite charming, and so forgiven. I particularly like the guy who lives at The Elms! :)

http://boklista.livejournal.com/39845... ( )

The first Chesterton I read, and I felt kinship at once. A wonderful introduction to his style and sensibility -- the first few stories are the best, however.

"To realize that there were ten new trades in the world was like looking at the first ship or the first plough. It made a man feel what he should feel, that he was still in the childhood of the world."

Recommended.
Re-reading 12.3.07 ( )