Father Brown
I admit to having learned about the existence of the Father Brown stories reasonably late in life. In fact, I came across them reading a book on the history of crime fiction, and was surprised by the premise of a priest detective.
Eventually, I was standing in my local (well, nearby, anyway) English bookstore and came across The Complete Father Brown Stories, which, of course, was immediately purchased and added to the TBR pile.
Having now finished it, I can say that although it might not be to everyone's taste because the moral of the stories is sometimes evident, it was a truly enjoyable book. What I love about the quintessentially English art of the cozy mystery is how civilized everyone seems even as they are busy killing each other off. Well, that and the old world atmosphere. In this, Chesterton is a little less extreme than Agatha Christie, though. Although his character is a priest, he is by no means a completely unworldly one, and seems to be well-used to the habits of the criminal classes.
If I had to choose, I would take Poirot over Father Brown precisely because of this: I like being transported to the world of the country-house and the upper crust (even if they are busy stabbing themselves with the silverware) - this probably also underpins my love for Wodehouse (especially anything that takes place at Castle Blandings).
Anyhow, has anyone else read these?
Eventually, I was standing in my local (well, nearby, anyway) English bookstore and came across The Complete Father Brown Stories, which, of course, was immediately purchased and added to the TBR pile.
Having now finished it, I can say that although it might not be to everyone's taste because the moral of the stories is sometimes evident, it was a truly enjoyable book. What I love about the quintessentially English art of the cozy mystery is how civilized everyone seems even as they are busy killing each other off. Well, that and the old world atmosphere. In this, Chesterton is a little less extreme than Agatha Christie, though. Although his character is a priest, he is by no means a completely unworldly one, and seems to be well-used to the habits of the criminal classes.
If I had to choose, I would take Poirot over Father Brown precisely because of this: I like being transported to the world of the country-house and the upper crust (even if they are busy stabbing themselves with the silverware) - this probably also underpins my love for Wodehouse (especially anything that takes place at Castle Blandings).
Anyhow, has anyone else read these?