I think the only Chesterton I've read was The Ballad of the White Horse, after the glowing recommendation in ACX's book review contest. I faced a similar problem here, of less historical grounding of the history of that Isle to interpret the references, and faced the further veil of, if not archaic, at least a bit distant poetry. But on the other hand, the language itself was at times rewarding, and I had the pleasure of putting my daughter to sleep with it as I read aloud.
As the previous comment suggests I would definitely recommend reading The Ballad of the White Horse aloud, it's fantastic.
But it is epic poetry and not quite what I meant when I was talking about a clever turn of phrase. For that I would suggest Orthodoxy. It's probably his most accessible non-fiction book.
For fiction, I must shamefully confess that I haven't read this, but I've heard great things about the "Father Brown" novels.
I think the only Chesterton I've read was The Ballad of the White Horse, after the glowing recommendation in ACX's book review contest. I faced a similar problem here, of less historical grounding of the history of that Isle to interpret the references, and faced the further veil of, if not archaic, at least a bit distant poetry. But on the other hand, the language itself was at times rewarding, and I had the pleasure of putting my daughter to sleep with it as I read aloud.
Amusingly King Arthur (if he existed) was not only not English, but an enemy of the English!
> It has all the normal Chesterton witticisms and turns of phrase, but there are easier places to get those.
What would you suggest?
As the previous comment suggests I would definitely recommend reading The Ballad of the White Horse aloud, it's fantastic.
But it is epic poetry and not quite what I meant when I was talking about a clever turn of phrase. For that I would suggest Orthodoxy. It's probably his most accessible non-fiction book.
For fiction, I must shamefully confess that I haven't read this, but I've heard great things about the "Father Brown" novels.