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The Man Who Was Thursday

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The Man Who Was Thursday

By: G. K. Chesterton
Narrated by: Toby Longworth
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

Chesterton's allegorical masterpiece is a surreal, psychologically thrilling audiobook that centres on seven anarchists in turn-of-the-century London, who call themselves by the names of days of the week.

The story begins when poet Gabriel Syme is recruited as a detective to a secret anarchist division of Scotland Yard by a shrouded, nameless person. Syme infiltrates a secret meeting of anarchists who are intent on destroying the world and becomes known as 'Thursday', one of the seven members of the Central Anarchist Council.

Narrator Biography

Formerly half a double-act with Bill Bailey, actor Toby Longworth left in order to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. Now a specialist in voiceover, his prominent work includes roles in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). He has appeared in audiobooks such as The Wolf Trial and The Lubetkin Legacy. He has also narrated documentaries for the BBC Worldwide Doctor Who DVD range; several of Games Workshop's Black Library audiobooks; and voiced the main character in the video game Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. His television work has included roles in BBC's Extras (2006) and Not Going Out (2013-2014), as well as Channel 4's The IT Crowd (2006).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Fiction Funny Exciting Mind-bending Witty Suspense British Mysteries British Classics
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Critic reviews

" The Man Who Was Thursday is not quite a political bad dream, nor a metaphysical thriller, nor a cosmic joke in the form of a spy novel, but it has something of all three...it remains the most thrilling book I have ever read." (Kingsley Amis)
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I wondered in the first chapter why Kingsley Amis rated it so highly. That became apparent as the story unfolded. I could not have begun to imagine the direction we were taken. A profoundly thoughtful story. commended.

Multi Layered

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Loved it. An intriguing story with so many unexpected turns and just when you think it's come to a point it surprises you yet again! A story deriding anarchy, but leaving you with much food for thought.

More than a few surprises!

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The narration was on top-form. The story was enthralling and mysterious. It keeps you intrigued and wondering as you wander into an unnatural journey.

I enjoyed the metaphors, the description and style but some points in the philosophical jargon, the plot lost me. I didn't quite understand why it finished like that but perhaps a second listen will further I weave its intricacies.

Very philosophical and poetic

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That G. K. Chesterton was a renowned writer and essayist becomes clear in this thought- provoking tale: his writerly touches in setting scenes; the thoughts which pass through his protagonist’s mind; the brief asides; and, above all the unexpected plot and its ironies. Nothing trite here, despite the excitement turn-and-turn-about. (I leave details deliberately vague). Is this a skit on anarchism, when their nest slowly depletes…? Or something much deeper, in the final face- off between light and darkness? Or deeper still in the Ascension of Sunday, who is neither… . His Cosmic laughter.

A Cut Above

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I like the Father Brown novels but this just confused me. I know it's a classic but it's probably the kind of book you need to read in an English class and have someone explain it. not my cup of tea at all

I just didn't get it

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