Comment by dang
11 years ago
If we're going to talk Chesterton, The Man Who Was Thursday is tremendous fun, though I can't recommend it without an ethical dilemma nor say what the dilemma is without spoiling the whole thing.
What's the best Father Brown mystery? I've been meaning to try one for years.
I'm very curious to know what your ethical dilemma is. I've read the man who was Thursday a couple times, and I'm having a hard time thinking what you might find objectionable about it that isn't giving away pretty early in the story or "spoiled" by a passing familiarity with Chesterton.
I don't see suitable contact info in your profile, but if you have a minute I'd be glad to receive an email via the address in mine.
Ok, I put it here: http://pastebin.com/1rGPcjZ4. Anyone who is curious and doesn't care about having a great plot spoiled can take a look. Anyone who does, keep out! It really is one of the most audacious plots ever.
Re contact info, anyone who wants to contact me is welcome to email hn@ycombinator.com. Suitability is the least of our worries. If it's a personal conversation I'll just redirect to a personal address.
My favorite Father Brown is The Blue Cross, which is a short story. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/204/204-h/204-h.htm#link2H_4_...
The father brown mysteries are (afaik) all short stories, now available in collections. Blue Cross is excellent and also introduces two characters besides father brown who have arcs over some of the other stories.
Try also The Trees of Pride, which isn't a fr brown mystery but is quite a good mystery.