Our Men's Book Review read G.K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday and found it an enjoyable read that veered into surreal territory at the end. The book is a somewhat conventional detective story involving a police detective infiltrating the central Council of Anarchist, 7 men named after the days of the week. Apparently some of the other council members are policemen as well and a madcap chase ensues and the cops chase after the big boss, named Sunday. They confront this fabulously large man at a favorite meeting spot on a balcony. Sunday flees by leaping over the balcony but not before "floating" back up to leave them with a few thoughts before finally departing. The chase involves elephants running across fields and hot air balloon rides landing at an estate where servants await to dress the men in costumes decorated with the themes from the Book of Genesis where God formed everything on specific days! Sunday not only recruited the detectives to infiltrate the council of anarchists he also was council president! Sunday would seem to represent God, the antagonist named Lucian, the protagonist named Gabriel bring to mind a few angels all should know and the aforementioned men dressed as the days of Genesis continue the Christian themes but for the life of me I cannot think why God would coordinate the Council of Anarchy, a role more appropriately played by Lucifer, or discern what Chesterton is trying get across with this particular allegory. All in all it was a book worth the time. Orson Welles and The Mercury Theater on the Air also performed this book and it is really quite good in its own right. You may listen at:
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