The Club of Queer Trades

G. K. Chesterton

Oct 2007 · Cosimo, Inc.

About this ebook

British writer GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON (1874-1936) expounded prolifically about his wide-ranging philosophies-he is impossible to categorize as "liberal" or "conservative," for instance-across a wide variety of avenues: he was a literary critic, historian, playwright, novelist, columnist, and poet. His witty, humorous style earned him the title of the "prince of paradox," and his works-80 books and nearly 4,000 essays-remain among the most beloved in the English language This 1905 collection of short stories is a splendid example of Chesterton's wicked style and devastating intellect. Revolving around the members of a London club who must invent their own wacky professions-and make a living from them-these tales send up the British class system, the state of London in the Victoria era, the ironies of the law, and more. Complete with the author's original illustrations, the stories include: . "The Tremendous Adventures of Major Brown" . "The Painful Fall of a Great Reputation" . "The Awful Reason of the Vicar's Visit" . "The Singular Speculation of the House-Agent" . "The Noticeable Conduct of Professor Chadd" . "The Eccentric Seclusion of the Old Lady"

About the author

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in London, England, in 1874. He began his education at St Paul's School, and later went on to study art at the Slade School, and literature at University College in London. Chesterton wrote a great deal of poetry, as well as works of social and literary criticism. Among his most notable books are The Man Who Was Thursday, a metaphysical thriller, and The Everlasting Man, a history of humankind's spiritual progress. After Chesterton converted to Catholicism in 1922, he wrote mainly on religious topics. Chesterton is most known for creating the famous priest-detective character Father Brown, who first appeared in "The Innocence of Father Brown." Chesterton died in 1936 at the age of 62.