Manalive

Media:	Paperback
Author:	G. K. Chesterton
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Release date:	27 November, 2000
Our price:	$7.95

Manalive

Average rating: Stars

Ridiculous, Hilarious and Profound!

This was my first read of Chesterton. After seeing him quoted and referred to in so many other books I had been reading, I decided it was time to check out his actual work. I was not disappointed, and feel like I have discovered some hidden treasure!

Beautifully written, mixing the ridiculous with the profound, I found myself underlining many times in this book. G.K. Chesterton's main character Innocent Smith managed to restore so much joy to even my life. Such is the goal of this character, to restore the joy of being alive. He manages to achieve this in a manner that many consider childlike or quite certainly insane! Innocent Smith aids other members of the tale in discovering the meaning of death; "It isn't only meant to remind us of a future life, but to remind us of a present life, too." A reader walks away from this work, realizing the beauty of the birds, the sweet smell of the flowers and the delight of one's own romantic love. I find myself indebted to this work for helping to restore my joy of living.

I did discover one difficulty in starting this read. I am so accustom to reading such easily digested material, it took me several attempts to actually get past the first three pages. I thought to myself, 'how many adjectives does he need!' After crossing this hurdle, I was so delighted by the rich descriptions as one viewing a fine piece of art.

I highly suggest this work with 5 out of 5 stars and am looking forward to reading more of Chesterton.

Manalive - G. K. Chesterton

Absurd, Comedic Genius

Reading this book was like eating a cupcake. It was delicious and over too quickly. The few other works of Chesteron's that I have read are much meatier, much more profound. But Chesterton always seems to be able to take a brief, clever idea, and follow it through to its logical conclusions.

The insanely secular world Chesterton paints in "The Ball & the Cross" is present in Manalive, but it has been mercifully suspended outside of the confines of Beacon House. This suspension allows Chesterton to explore the actions of a single man who is fully and completely human - an uninhibited man with a good heart and relatively infinite resources.

Within the confines of Beacon House, Chesterton assembles a cast of English cartoon figures to serve as foils to his protagonist. Their lighthearted attempt to make sense of "Smith" provides the structure around which Chesterton makes his points.

Chesterton's disdain for Americans makes its appearance in Dr. Cyrus Pym, but GKC can be forgiven for this since he equips his hero Smth with a fine American revolver.

All in all an excellent book, over too quickly, but consequently well suited for repeated readings.

G. K. Chesterton - Manalive

On Being a Man

First, you should know that the book is Chesterton's excuse to explore what it means to be a Man; specifically one that's also Alive. The story is secondary to the theme.
Nevertheless, I found the book both entertaining and profound. Chesterton provides paints wonderful, vivid images. The characters, while admittedly exaggerated, are familiar and endearing. Their situations are (in true Chesterton style) inventive and clever.
The entertainment aspect aside, the story had a profound impact on me. I confess that I was already facing in the direction the novel was pushing, but it gave me inspiration and clarity about its central ideas. It will sound cliché, but it is Carpe Diem, it is Nike's Just Do It, it is Oswald Chamber's spiritual abandonment.
Finally, I also believe that this book sheds light on the way men work. Not there conscious thought, but on their instincts and motivations. For that reason, I encouraged my wife to read it.

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