An Evening With G.K. Chesterton
Meaning to do so for a long time, finally last week I showed up for a monthly meeting of the Twin Cities Chesterton Society. 30+ devotees of the the great English curmudgeon's good sense come to the University Club on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, prepared to discuss one or more of GKC's books or essays. This time it was Fads and Fancies, a book of essays on everything from Hamlet to the role of mothers in education. I decided to go on the spur of the moment, had not read the material, so sat in the corner and mostly listened and learned. These, by the way, are some really smart guys and will be added to my links. Great fun.
Lot's of Chesterton's work is available on line. Check out Fancies Versus Fads, corresponding to the book mentioned above, particularly the article Turning Inside Out (1923) for a taste of his prescience and common-sense brilliance.
The society's meetings are open to anyone and chaired by the founder of the American Chesterton Society based right here in the Southern burbs. I'll be back for more.
4 comments:
GK looks like my great-grandpa Johnson.
If one were to start reading GK Chesteron, what book should one read first? (That was phrased awkwardly, I realize, but it's late and I'm not sleeping much these days. :))
Nikki,
Fiction: Father Brown Mysteries (short stories).
Non-Fiction: Orthodoxy. Even better, start with an essay or two from the "Works" site linked here--on any topic that looks interesting to catch on to his style. I have to read him a little at a time or I'm overwhelmed. There's so much good stuff to think about.
Linda,
I think he looks a little like me in one of my better moods.
Post a Comment