April 2021: The Innocence of Father Brown

[Christine PNW]

I can't believe it's already April!

I know very little about Father Brown. I think I may have read a Father Brown story in an anthology of classic mystery short stories, but aside from that I've read nohing by G.K. Chesterton. I had checked this one out of my library, but it wasn't available as a kindle book and I hate reading in my browser so I returned it.

So, I spent $2.99 and bought the Open Road Media edition for my kindle. I know that I could have gotten one for under a dollar, but my experience with the quality of free classics has not been good, so I usually buy the Open Road version if there's one available.

I'm looking forward to reading it!

[Jazzy]

oh i could have found you a better one hope the one you got is a real treat!

I know you're gonna love it.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I started and read the first four stories. I've not read anything of his either although I knew he wrote mysteries. At present, I'm having mixed feelings. Hope I'll have better luck with the rest of the stories.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'm reading the third collection of Father Brown stories and they are better than The Innocence of Father Brown, which I think is not his best work.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I finished and quite agree with Rosemarie. This cannot be the best work of Chesterton. And given the popularity of "father Brown", the best may yet to come. Since I didn't enjoy this collection, I'm at a loss as to where to look.

[Christine PNW]

Piyangie wrote: "I finished and quite agree with Rosemarie. This cannot be the best work of Chesterton. And given the popularity of "father Brown", the best may yet to come. Since I didn't enjoy this collection, I'..."

That's too bad. I've only read the first story, and it was moderately interesting.

[Christine PNW]

I was prepared to be disappointed - and maybe that was helpful because it kept my expectations low. So, surprisingly, I quite enjoyed this collection of stories.

But I didn't really enjoy them as "mysteries," because most of them seemed pretty well filled with conjecture over evidence.

I think that what I liked about them was the interesting perspective on human nature. Father Brown seems more or less wholly disinterested in crime - he is much more concerned with the reformation of the human soul. So, his approach to Flambeau (Hercule Flambeau, which is, at a minimum, funny) as a reformed criminal and we don't have any need at all to belabor his past, was sort of telling.

I also liked the vignette style writing. While his "world" isn't so much all of a piece as that of Conan Doyle with the Sherlock Holmes canon, it's somewhat similar.

I still think it's unlikely that Father Brown will become as important to me as Poirot or Holmes or Brother Cadfael, or even Harry Bosch, but I was surprised at how the stories kept my attention. And I found some of them downright clever.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I read the Innocence collection a few years, and then the following year the Wisdom collection. This month I read The Incredulity of Father Brown and really liked. I thought these stories were very clever, and so was Father Brown.

[Valentina]

I finished yesterday this small and compelling story collection. I will start by saying that this is the first time that I read something written by Chesterton, and I was really fascinated. As a matter of writing skills, he is very descriptive, and I really like this characteristic, it helps me get inside the story "with my whole shoes"! The style also reminds me a lot something about Christie and Doyle, even if they are on another level regarding the story construction and the ability of the investigator.

What I appreciated the most was the simplicity in Father Brown's character (how could it be differently, he's a priest!) and his tendency not to solve the case exactly, but to save souls. He doesn't care really for the police to put the criminal in jail or to punish him in the eyes of the law, he cares to rescue him in the eyes of God, without making so heavy the whole religious part (in fewer words, I believe that even a convinced atheist can read these stories and he will not get annoyed by the fact that Father Brown is a priest!).

Also, I was really surprised by the similarity with an Italian TV series that has as main character a priest: Don Matteo. I found a lot of common characteristics: how the priest is involved with the police but looks mainly for criminal redemption, how he finds out details and hints crucial for solving the case, and then explains it to the police chief. I will not be surprised to know that the writers of this TV series got inspired by Father Brown!

In the general point of view, I really enjoyed reading these stories, and probably I will also read the other collections of Father Brown's adventure!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

You are in for a treat, Valentina. The stories just keep getting better and better.
If you want to read a novel by Chesterton, I suggest The Man Who was Thursday. It's a mystery type novel with a difference.

[Kathy]

Valentina, after reading your comments about the Father Brown stories, I can't wait till my library copy comes in to start my reading. I haven't read Chesterton either so it should be interesting.

Thanks for the suggestion about the novel, Rosemarie. Your description intrigues me.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

You're welcome, Kathy. It is very escapist reading!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Perhaps my disappointment was coming from expecting too much and the stories being not "mysteries" from the standard point. And I do agree that the later stories of the twelve were better than those at the beginning. There was an overall improvement. But as a whole, it was a bit disappointing. I do like to try more of Father Brown stories, but I don't know where to begin with. Any recommendation would be quite welcoming. :)

[Christine PNW]

Piyangie wrote: "Perhaps my disappointment was coming from expecting too much and the stories being not "mysteries" from the standard point. And I do agree that the later stories of the twelve were better than thos..."

I totally understand where you are coming from & I agree that the stories aren't really mysteries.

I don't know if I will read more or not in the future. I'm already not a huge short story fan, and if I am going to read short stories, I think I would rather spend my time rereading the Sherlock Holmes canon, or Agatha Christie's shorts, or even one of the themed BLCC anthologies, like this one that I purchased recently:



Deep Waters: Murder on the Waves

I'll probably skip Father Brown, but maybe try Rosemarie's suggestion of The Man Who Was Thursday.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Piyangie wrote: "Perhaps my disappointment was coming from expecting too much and the stories being not "mysteries" from the standard point. And I do agree that the later stories of the twelve were better than thos..."

Piyangie you have been reading many Agatha books of late as well. Maybe take a break from Mysteries before reading another Chesterton? Probably not intentional mind you.

Is this his first book? in this series.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

This is the first Father Brown book, Lesle. I have a book which contains all the Father Brown stories. I read one collection a year, generally.

[Christine PNW]

Piyangie wrote: "Perhaps my disappointment was coming from expecting too much and the stories being not "mysteries" from the standard point. And I do agree that the later stories of the twelve were better than thos..."

Piyangie, I noticed that Lesle referenced the fact that you have been reading Agatha Christie - I wanted to mention that I started an Agatha Christie group last year and we are reading all 66 novels in publication order - we started in October for the centenary publishing anniversary of The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

Anyway, if you are interested, the group is called Appointment With Agatha. April's book is The Big Four, which is not a great Christie, but we have some exceptional books still coming up this year

We also do a classic mystery "side-read" each month that is selected by the membership.

Anyway, if you are interested (and no pressure if you're not), you can find us at Appointment With Agatha.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

@Lesle: Yes, Lesle, I've been reading her since 2018, and as you imply, I may be comparing other mysteries with hers quite unconsciously. But I find it lately that I'm becoming disappointed with her works as well. Perhaps, I need to take a break from the genre. But then again, it's one of my fav genres. :)

@Christine: Thanks for the invitation. I've read a lot of Christie including the complete Poirot series. I'm at present continuing with Miss Marple. Anyway, I'll certainly check it out. Thanks again.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Rosemarie wrote: "This is the first Father Brown book, Lesle. I have a book which contains all the Father Brown stories. I read one collection a year, generally."

Which is the best collection in your opinion, Rosemarie? I would really like to give Chesterton another go.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I've read the first three so far,and the one I finished recently The Incredulity of Father Brown, is the best so far. I really enjoyed that collection.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Rosemarie wrote: "I've read the first three so far,and the one I finished recently The Incredulity of Father Brown, is the best so far. I really enjoyed that collection."

Thanks, Rosemarie. I'll add that to my TBR.

[John]

I finished The Innocence of Father Brown yesterday, and I have to admit it was a dull slog. I did not enjoy the stories at all. I can't imagine reading another book by G.K. Chesterton anytime soon.

[Felicia]

I first heard of Father Brown from the TV series and fell in love with the show. I was excited to see that it was a book series. The first half of these stories seemed to take forever to get through, but the second half I felt was better. If the writting progresses continually through his works, I may pick up book 2 soon.

[Kathy]

I finished these stories and enjoyed most of them. I especially liked the cleverness of "The Blue Cross," the unexpected outcome of "The Secret Garden, " and the atmosphere of "The Honour of Israel Gow."

The stories have a quiet feel to them, much like the "Father Brown" TV series. Father Brown does much more than help solve crimes. He has good advice for people, including the criminals.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

I am glad you found some ties to the TV series. I really enjoy the show and his even keel attitude Father Brown has. It makes a difference in his outcomes. Im always surprised by his thinking process.