The Napoleon of Notting Hill

G. K. Chesterton

Jan 2007 · Cosimo, Inc.

About this ebook

British writer GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON (1874-1936) expounded prolifically about his wide-ranging philosophies-he is impossible to categorize as "liberal" or "conservative," for instance-across a wide variety of avenues: he was a literary critic, historian, playwright, novelist, columnist, and poet. His witty, humorous style earned him the title of the "prince of paradox," and his works-80 books and nearly 4,000 essays-remain among the most beloved in the English language First published in 1904, this allegorical fantasy is, perhaps, Chesterton's most curious book, a futuristic satire on public apathy, the corruption of the ruling class, and the collapse of local tradition. Though set in the year 1984, Chesterton does not concern himself with exploring the possible technological advances on the horizon at the beginning of the century: instead, he looks to the sociological, and so produced a work that comes startlingly close to predicting the indifference of the modern hoi polloi. Known to have inspired the hero of Irish independence, Michael Collins, as well as, perhaps, George Orwell's 1984, this is a stellar example of Chesterton's comic genius.

About the author

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in London, England, in 1874. He began his education at St Paul's School, and later went on to study art at the Slade School, and literature at University College in London. Chesterton wrote a great deal of poetry, as well as works of social and literary criticism. Among his most notable books are The Man Who Was Thursday, a metaphysical thriller, and The Everlasting Man, a history of humankind's spiritual progress. After Chesterton converted to Catholicism in 1922, he wrote mainly on religious topics. Chesterton is most known for creating the famous priest-detective character Father Brown, who first appeared in "The Innocence of Father Brown." Chesterton died in 1936 at the age of 62.