Chesterton gives us the archetypal Christian and the archetypal atheist, embroiled in a series of exciting and often hilarious adventures throughout England as they try to find somewhere to duel in peace.

Chesterton's characters are so passionate and full of joy in life that while they are not particularly realistic, I always get the sense that they are what people should be if they would only be true to themselves and to what is really important. For the most part I think Chesterton fairly presents both sides of the theism/atheism argument; the book's ending, while a bit over-the-top in full Chestertonian style (don't worry, I won't give it away), satisfyingly suggests that the question is one that must be solved through personal experience rather than debate - although as the book shows, both sides have a lot to learn through such debate as well.

I was struck by the subtler point made throughout the novel that the sincerity of one's belief is much more important than holding the "correct" belief. This is an idea that also crops up in C. S. Lewis's work (unsurprising, since Lewis was heavily influenced by Chesterton) and which would serve us well in today's world where arguments over whose religion is the "correct" one are the source of so much division, anger, and violence. ( )

The Ball and the Cross begins with a challenge of faith and honor - the pious Catholic Evan MacIan is so incensed by James Turnbull's skepticism about the origins of Christianity that he smashes one of his windows and they agree to settle the matter with a duel. The conflict gets thwarted at every turn though; the entire country becomes embroiled, if a little bit baffledly, in the duel - nobody has witnessed such sincere fervor about personal beliefs as MacIan and Turnbull both possess.

So, in a peculiar way, the two become comrades, united by passion in an anti-septic and passionless world. Chesterton never spoonfeeds the reader a conclusion, much less a Moral, but he does open up avenues of religious dialogue.

Plus, the book is terribly funny, with satire enough for everyone to appreciate. It has such a surprisingly modern feel to it, impressive since it was written a century ago. The issues touched upon are still discussed and relevant, and the religious versus the non-religious are (perhaps sadly) still treading the same ground today. ( )