Defiant
Joy: The Remarkable Life & Impact of
G.K. Chesterton
Kevin Belmonte© 2011 by Kevin Belmonte
Published by Thomas Nelson
Belmonte’s book is, as he
introduces it, a study similar to the one that Chesterton himself wrote about
Thomas Aquinas: “This book makes no pretense to be anything but a popular
sketch of a great historical character …”
This is a sketch and not an exhaustive work but tells the story of
Chesterton’s life in much the same way he would have it told, with wit and
sincerity.
This is a chronological account
as one would expect from a biography.
However, the book is salted – indeed liberally seasoned – with quotes
from Chesterton’s works and critiques others had of his work. While we start with Chesterton’s birth and
early childhood and end with his death, we walk the course of his life by the
works that he produced. He was
prodigious in his writing, both in the numbers of works and in the
variety. The novels and detective
stories may seem frivolous for such a renowned man of letters but Chesterton
always had a higher purpose in his writing.
Belmonte never lets us forget that.
Then there are the “higher” works such as the apologetic volumes that
Chesterton left us as well as the literary biographies of greats such as Chaucer,
Dickens, and Shaw. His writing included
character studies of others – in addition to the authors he admired – that Chesterton admired and for whom he
provided great insight. Belmonte
provides a glimpse into all of them, just enough to tell us of the man’s works
and influences but not so much that we are satisfied in not reading these great
works for ourselves.
Acknowledging the biographies of
others, including Chesterton’s autobiography, Belmonte has added much to the study
of the man. Chesterton’s Catholicism is
always prominent, along with the mysticism that accompanies it. However, his genuine faith in a risen Christ
and the assurance of Chesterton’s own salvation is not diluted by that
religious structure. The contrast with
those who did not share his faith – famously George Bernard Shaw – is sharp yet
there is never an alienation that Chesterton allowed to taint the agreeable
presentation of his faith.
This book is recommended for
those who have never heard of Chesterton, those who have read all his works,
those who have been influenced by authors whom Chesterton influenced (notably
C.S. Lewis), and those who might disagree with him. In short, this is valuable reading for
anyone.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was received for free from the publisher but a positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are those of the reviewer. This disclosure is in accordance with the United States Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” 16 CFR, Part 255.
