Manalive (Hilarious Stories) [Paperback]

G. K. Chesterton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486414051 | ISBN-13: 978-0486414058 | Publication Date: November 27, 2000

Manalive pits a group of disillusioned young people against Mr. Innocent Smith, a bubbly, high-spirited gentleman who literally falls into their midst. Accused of murder and denounced for repeatedly marrying his wife and attempting to live in various houses, Smith prompts his newfound acquaintances to recognize an important idea: that life is worth living.

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About the Author

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936) was an English writer. His prolific and diverse output included philosophy, ontology, poetry, play writing, journalism, public lecturing and debating, literary and art criticism, biography, Christian apologetics, and fiction, including fantasy and detective fiction. Chesterton has been called the "prince of paradox". Time magazine, in a review of a biography of Chesterton, observed of his writing style: "Whenever possible Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out." For example, Chesterton wrote "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it." Chesterton is well known for his reasoned apologetics and even some of those who disagree with him have recognized the universal appeal of such works as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man. Chesterton, as a political thinker, cast aspersions on both liberalism and conservatism, saying, "The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected." Chesterton routinely referred to himself as an "orthodox" Christian, and came to identify such a position with Catholicism more and more, eventually converting to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism. George Bernard Shaw, Chesterton's "friendly enemy" according to Time, said of him, "He was a man of colossal genius". --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (November 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486414051
• ISBN-13: 978-0486414058
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ridiculous, Hilarious and Profound!, April 15, 2005

By 

R. Eberz (Beijing, PRC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manalive (Hilarious Stories) (Paperback)

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.

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Man, O Manalive, May 2, 2001

By 

oldfatslow (Eau Gallie, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manalive (Hilarious Stories) (Paperback)

This is my favorite GKC novel. Chesterton writes a grown up novel about those who must become like little children to enter the Kingdom of God. Chesterton treats each mundane moment as momentous and the repetitious as startlingly new. Life for him is adventure and joy and he can't stand to see anyone not joining him.

The Spirit of God is the wind that moves throughout the entire book and stirs up the lives of all it touches.

I'd love to see this book as a play.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop Taking Yourself So Seriously!, January 11, 2004

By 

C. N. Gallimore "Reader of Great Books" (Annapolis, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manalive (Hilarious Stories) (Paperback)

Whether you're new to Chesterton or have read everything else he has written I cannot recommmend this book highly enough. In my opinion this is the best of his more serious allegorical novels in that the meaning is not hidden and confused as it is in some of his other works, but is right there ready to smack you in the face. Chesterton was always concerned with the problems facing the modern man (and while he wrote at the turn of the 19th century his "modern man" is still as modern today as it was then). The increasing societal pressures facing both the Christian and the non-Christian alike were then as now forcing people to view the world with a serious and somber tone, always looking to their survival in a world where absolutes were lacking and authority was no longer to looked to for answers. In this dismal worldview it is all too easy for man to get so caught up in the day to day struggles that he forgets that he is alive, that he is a living breathing person with a will of his own and not merely an automaton of a crushing society. He is alive, and that is a gerat thing!

While the story is rather strait forward and not nearly as interesting in its own light as some of his other novels, this book is so full of life that the reader cannot help but want to jump up and down at times at the reemergence of joy in the lives of the characters. While the "irresponsible" lifestyle prtrayed in the book should not be taken as a realistic alternative to the monotony of life that has clutched so many, the exposure of stodginess for what it really is should be a warning to anyone who has ever found themselves snearing at the strange behaviors of children or getting too caught up in our increasingly materialistic culture.

While not as overtly religious as some of his other books this book is perhaps most aplicable to those people who are too religious, whatever their philosophy. Those who have such a low opinion of the world and of man that they have forgoten that while their is evil in the world, the world was created good and their is still much to be found here. One of Chesterton's most endearing and uplifting classics, a must read for anyone who feels only too strongly the immense weight of the world on their shoulders, and a good reminder of the necessity of having some fun for everyone else.