Manalive is one of G. K. Chesterton's most popular novels, and one of his most explicitly religious works of fiction.

This novel expresses the author's philosophical and religious philosophy, and his ideas of Christianity and the 'holy fool'. Divided into two parts, each of which follow the adventures and exploits of Innocent Smith, an unusual and mysterious tenant who suddenly appears in London's Beacon House lodging rooms. Markedly eccentric, Smith is soon the centre of attraction in the formerly ordinary residences. He also creates the post of the High Court of...

Chesterton states his purpose in Orthodoxy is to "attempt an explanation, not of whether the Christian faith can be believed, but of how he personally has come to believe it." Orthodoxy has become a classic of Christian apologetics.

We need to be happy in this wonderland without once being merely comfortable. It is THIS achievement of my creed that I shall chiefly pursue in these pages. But I have a peculiar reason for mentioning the man in a yacht, who discovered England. For I am that man in a yacht. I discovered England. I do not see how this book can avoid being egotistical; and I do not quite see (to tell the truth) how it can avoid being dull. Dulness will, however, free me from the charge which I most lament; the charge of being flippant. Mere light sophistry is the thing that I happen to despise most of all...

Introductory remarks on the importance of orthodoxy -- On the negative spirit -- On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and making the world small -- Mr. Bernard Shaw -- Mr. H.G. Wells and the giants -- Christmas and the aesthetes -- Omar and the sacred vine -- The mildness of the yellow press -- The moods of Mr. George Moore -- On sandals and simplicity -- Science and the savages -- Paganism and Mr. Lowes Dickinson -- Celts and celtophiles -- On certain modern writers and the institution of the family -- On smart novelists and the smart set -- On Mr. McCabe and a divine frivolity -- On the wit of Whistler...

A novel sometimes referred to as a metaphysical thriller. Show Excerpt "Is he really an anarchist, then?" she asked. "Only in that sense I speak of," replied Syme; "or if you prefer it, in that nonsense." She drew her broad brows together and said abruptly-- "He wouldn't really use--bombs or that sort of thing?" Syme broke into a great laugh, that seemed too large for his slight and somewhat dandified figure. "Good Lord, no " he said, "that has to be done anonymously." And at that the corners of her own mouth broke into a smile, and she thought with a simultaneous pleasure of Gregory's...

We need to be happy in this wonderland without once being merely comfortable. It is THIS achievement of my creed that I shall chiefly pursue in these pages. But I have a peculiar reason for mentioning the man in a yacht, who discovered England. For I am that man in a yacht. I discovered England. I do not see how this book can avoid being egotistical; and I do not quite see (to tell the truth) how it can avoid being dull. Dulness will, however, free me from the charge which I most lament; the charge of being flippant. Mere light sophistry is the thing that I happen to despise most of all...

Excerpt from the Dedication: A book of modern social inquiry has a shape that is somewhat sharply defined. It begins as a rule with an analysis, with statistics, tables of population, decrease of crime among Congregationalists, growth of hysteria among policemen, and similar ascertained facts; it ends with a chapter that is generally called "The Remedy." It is almost wholly due to this careful, solid, and scientific method that "The Remedy" is never found. For this scheme of medical question and answer is a blunder; the first great blunder of sociology. It is always called stating the disease...