Curt and I have been having a little tug-of-war with this book. I started it and read two chapters before I left for Chicago. While I was gone, he read five chapters.
When I had returned and after our kids went back to college, we both reached for it one night. “I’m reading it,” he exclaimed. “Well, I’m reading it too, and I started it before you did,” I retorted. (I promise I didn’t stick out my tongue.) So we compromised: he went back to the third chapter and read it aloud but — alas! — I fell sound asleep. A few nights later I had read through the fifth chapter and started to read the sixth chapter aloud to him. Alas, he fell asleep!
Since I am quite simply a selfish person, I broke the unspoken covenant and read ahead. Last night I had one chapter left and he was occupied with his bow and arrows (archery hunting season begins today). All day I enjoyed the anticipation of completing a good book.
What a quirky, wonderful, strange, charming, odd little book! I wish I had the opportunity to re-read it this week, and catch more nuances and clues the second time through. Chesterton has challenged me to think of the playfulness of God. It’s a quite different way of thinking. I plan to pick this Chesterton gem up a few more times in my life. Random quotes:
I don’t often have the luck to have a dream like this. It is new to me for a nightmare to lead to a lobster. It is commonly the other way.
“I have a suspicion that you are all mad,” said Dr. Renard, smiling sociably; “but God forbid that madness should in any way interrupt friendship.” [wouldn’t you like to make up greeting cards with this quote on the front? I can think of several select friends who would get a hoot from it.]
“Who and what are you?” “I am the Sabbath,” said the other without moving. “I am the peace of God.”
A Living Pencil 
These are fun quotes! The first reminds me of Sarah and how willing she is to argue things out, but if you leave her alone, she seems to be coming ‘home’, bringing her tail behind her.
Thanks for the chuckles!
I just ordered Chesterton’s Orthodoxy from B&N. Good heavy winter reading, I’m thinking.
Carrie K. http://carrie.homeschooljournal.net
I love Chesterton although I must admit I’ve only read his Orthodoxy, and only the first 50 pages or so of it. I’ve read those 50 pages three or four times and chuckle out loud each time. Chesterton is a gem. I will look for this book based on your recommendation and your quotes.Blessings,Sandy