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Father Brown

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Father Brown

By: G. K. Chesterton
Narrated by: Bill Wallis
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About this listen

 This wonderful creation by G. K. Chesterton is a familiar favourite to many as a TV series in the 70s with Kenneth More.

Chesterton's other works include The Man Who Knew Too Much.

These four stories test Father Brown in many ways, creating headaches a plenty. However, Father Brown is nothing if not redoubtable and whilst Chesterton's stories are, in his own words, "very slight and improbable", his method is all his own. Bill Wallis captures perfectly the mood and tone of Father Brown in this collection.

©2008 Copyright Group (P)2006 Horse's Mouth Classics Genre Fiction Mystery Psychological Fiction
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This audiobook was my first introduction to Father Brown, so it's entirely to blame for my present addiction! It would make a good taster for anyone curious about this classic detective series. Bill Wallis is an excellent narrator and does the stories proud -- I can't read the stories without hearing his version of Father Brown's voice.

GK Chesterton was inspired to create Father Brown when talking to a clerical friend about how priests, taking confession, hear about the very worst aspects of human nature. Thus was born this bland, amiable, naive-seeming character with his own brand of wisdom and understanding.

This collection contains four of the best Father Brown tales, including 'The Blue Cross', which was the very first of his adventures. 'The Absence of Mr Glass' is light-hearted, while 'The Honour of Israel Gow' is downright spooky. The final story, 'The Resurrection of Father Brown', has the priest embroiled in politics and a target of assassination.

Oddly, at least in my copy of the audiobook, the first two stories have been transposed, with the opening music, titles, and 'The Blue Cross' coming AFTER 'Mr Glass'. It's best to listen to 'The Blue Cross' first, even if this means fast-forwarding to reach it. But this technical quibble shouldn't spoil your enjoyment of four superb tales.

A great taste of Father Brown's adventures

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Fr Brown rarely appears to do any work -
like saying mass, hearing confessions, normal routine essential arise duty! Nevertheless, these stories can be nice, light bedtime listening. Ingenious, moral, concise. Bill
Wallis tells them well.

Good narrator improves dated tales.

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