“Of all the studies of G.K. I have read, this is the best, deepest and most nearly complete.” Bernard Levin, The Sunday Times
Gilbert Keith Chesterton, known as G.K.Chesterton was born on the 29th of May, 1874 on a quiet street between Holland Park and Kensington, a place he came to love all his life.
Although Chesterton attended University, he left without obtaining a degree.
In 1901, he married Frances Blogg – a marriage that was to last his lifetime. Despite their happy marriage, there were no children. Frances’ health was weak from the start. However, Chesterton loved her and ensured he did all he could to make her happy.
But at what cost to his own emotional stability? This was evident to his friends. But what about Frances?
Chesterton started his career working for publishers and trying his hand in journalism. Soon he had his own weekly column.
He was a poet, a social critic, a historian, and novelist. Always displaying humour — both in his writing and throughout life. His literature covered a myriad of subjects — ones he had strong viewpoints on: government, theology, philosophy, amongst many others.
Chesterton’s literature is enjoyed by many and found to be inspirational. Michael Coren captures Chesterton’s life and his work in this book. The insights into Chesterton’s life and work are both honest and informative.
Praise for Gilbert:
“Michael Coren’s book is indispensable for helping us better understand the private side of this wonderful man.” Jay P. Corrin, Boston University
“The definitive work on Chesterton and one of the finest literary biographies in years.” Paul William Roberts, *Toronto Star*
“A book of stature, wisdom and perception. Chesterton has long needed a modern, sensitive treatment and here at last is that study. A very great book.” Lord Longford
“A noble book that has greatly raised the quality of Chesterton biography, above all at its most intimate level. It is a book which reveals the joy and grief, the hope and fear, the doubt and faith, within the man who was G.K. Chesterton.” The Chesterton Review
Michael Coren is a broadcaster, columnist and author of ten books, including biographies of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, H. G. Wells, and Arthur Conan Doyle. He is also host of the television show Michael Coren Live — described by BBC Radio as “one of the best talk-shows in North America.”
**
From Publishers Weekly
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), although perhaps best known nowadays for his Father Brown mysteries, which have been adapted for TV, was a prolific poet, novelist and essayist. He deserves another biography, but this affectionate work by a Toronto literary critic is merely adequate. Catholic writers in particular have lauded Chesterton's wit, style and industriousness, while others have castigated his logorrhea, sloppy research, unintending insensitivity and anti-Semitism. Coren tries to deal fairly with the corpulent, sword-stick-carrying author--whom he insists on calling Gilbert--but he fails to convince us of Chesterton's charm or importance. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Chesterton (1874-1936) crammed his life with work, drawing, editing, debating, and writing mysteries, biographies, histories, essays, and poetry, over 70 volumes in all. He knew many contemporary literary figures such as Shaw, Belloc, and Beerbohm. In a balanced and chronological way, Coren follows this huge, peculiar man, quoting extensively from letters, journals, and his autobiography. In readable prose he chronicles Chesterton's sometimes naive economic and political ideas, occasional bigotry, efforts to maintain his bloated body, and influential conversion to Catholicism. With his "frequent insistence on treading the middle road, even when that position was untenable," Chesterton is a slippery, sometimes annoying, figure. The book is a life, not a literary criticism, and is recommended for large libraries that want another view of this writer. - John Miller, Normandale Community Coll., Bloom ington, Minn.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Description:
“Of all the studies of G.K. I have read, this is the best, deepest and most nearly complete.” Bernard Levin, The Sunday Times
Gilbert Keith Chesterton, known as G.K.Chesterton was born on the 29th of May, 1874 on a quiet street between Holland Park and Kensington, a place he came to love all his life.
Although Chesterton attended University, he left without obtaining a degree.
In 1901, he married Frances Blogg – a marriage that was to last his lifetime. Despite their happy marriage, there were no children. Frances’ health was weak from the start. However, Chesterton loved her and ensured he did all he could to make her happy.
But at what cost to his own emotional stability? This was evident to his friends. But what about Frances?
Chesterton started his career working for publishers and trying his hand in journalism. Soon he had his own weekly column.
He was a poet, a social critic, a historian, and novelist. Always displaying humour — both in his writing and throughout life. His literature covered a myriad of subjects — ones he had strong viewpoints on: government, theology, philosophy, amongst many others.
Chesterton’s literature is enjoyed by many and found to be inspirational. Michael Coren captures Chesterton’s life and his work in this book. The insights into Chesterton’s life and work are both honest and informative.
Praise for Gilbert:
“Michael Coren’s book is indispensable for helping us better understand the private side of this wonderful man.” Jay P. Corrin, Boston University
“The definitive work on Chesterton and one of the finest literary biographies in years.” Paul William Roberts, *Toronto Star*
“A book of stature, wisdom and perception. Chesterton has long needed a modern, sensitive treatment and here at last is that study. A very great book.” Lord Longford
“A noble book that has greatly raised the quality of Chesterton biography, above all at its most intimate level. It is a book which reveals the joy and grief, the hope and fear, the doubt and faith, within the man who was G.K. Chesterton.” The Chesterton Review
Michael Coren is a broadcaster, columnist and author of ten books, including biographies of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, H. G. Wells, and Arthur Conan Doyle. He is also host of the television show Michael Coren Live — described by BBC Radio as “one of the best talk-shows in North America.” **
From Publishers Weekly
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), although perhaps best known nowadays for his Father Brown mysteries, which have been adapted for TV, was a prolific poet, novelist and essayist. He deserves another biography, but this affectionate work by a Toronto literary critic is merely adequate. Catholic writers in particular have lauded Chesterton's wit, style and industriousness, while others have castigated his logorrhea, sloppy research, unintending insensitivity and anti-Semitism. Coren tries to deal fairly with the corpulent, sword-stick-carrying author--whom he insists on calling Gilbert--but he fails to convince us of Chesterton's charm or importance. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Chesterton (1874-1936) crammed his life with work, drawing, editing, debating, and writing mysteries, biographies, histories, essays, and poetry, over 70 volumes in all. He knew many contemporary literary figures such as Shaw, Belloc, and Beerbohm. In a balanced and chronological way, Coren follows this huge, peculiar man, quoting extensively from letters, journals, and his autobiography. In readable prose he chronicles Chesterton's sometimes naive economic and political ideas, occasional bigotry, efforts to maintain his bloated body, and influential conversion to Catholicism. With his "frequent insistence on treading the middle road, even when that position was untenable," Chesterton is a slippery, sometimes annoying, figure. The book is a life, not a literary criticism, and is recommended for large libraries that want another view of this writer.
- John Miller, Normandale Community Coll., Bloom ington, Minn.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.