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The Man Who Was Thursday

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The Man Who Was Thursday

By: G. K. Chesterton
Narrated by: Toby Longworth
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About this listen

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Chesterton's allegorical masterpiece is a surreal, psychologically thrilling audiobook that centres on seven anarchists in turn-of-the-century London, who call themselves by the names of days of the week.

The story begins when poet Gabriel Syme is recruited as a detective to a secret anarchist division of Scotland Yard by a shrouded, nameless person. Syme infiltrates a secret meeting of anarchists who are intent on destroying the world and becomes known as 'Thursday', one of the seven members of the Central Anarchist Council.

Narrator Biography

Formerly half a double-act with Bill Bailey, actor Toby Longworth left in order to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. Now a specialist in voiceover, his prominent work includes roles in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). He has appeared in audiobooks such as The Wolf Trial and The Lubetkin Legacy. He has also narrated documentaries for the BBC Worldwide Doctor Who DVD range; several of Games Workshop's Black Library audiobooks; and voiced the main character in the video game Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. His television work has included roles in BBC's Extras (2006) and Not Going Out (2013-2014), as well as Channel 4's The IT Crowd (2006).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Fiction Funny Exciting Mind-bending Witty Suspense British Mysteries British Classics

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Critic reviews

" The Man Who Was Thursday is not quite a political bad dream, nor a metaphysical thriller, nor a cosmic joke in the form of a spy novel, but it has something of all three...it remains the most thrilling book I have ever read." (Kingsley Amis)
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Don't expect Father Brown. This is a philisophy thriller very much of the Edwardian era. A great period piece. If you like Wilkie Collins then you would probably get on withthis book. Very enjoyable and a nice surprise.

Unusual

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That G. K. Chesterton was a renowned writer and essayist becomes clear in this thought- provoking tale: his writerly touches in setting scenes; the thoughts which pass through his protagonist’s mind; the brief asides; and, above all the unexpected plot and its ironies. Nothing trite here, despite the excitement turn-and-turn-about. (I leave details deliberately vague). Is this a skit on anarchism, when their nest slowly depletes…? Or something much deeper, in the final face- off between light and darkness? Or deeper still in the Ascension of Sunday, who is neither… . His Cosmic laughter.

A Cut Above

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Witty, funny, and with a lot of profundity under the fun. You think you know where it's going but you're probably quite wrong, and several times. I'm still not quite sure I know what to make of it, but I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.

A strange, delightful book

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surprising I always enjoyed Father Brown books this different the charectors are take into a journey where no one is actually what they seem. I do not want to spoil it for anyone whom has not read it .

Almost sereal

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If 6 out 5 exists, this would be the rating of this book 😅
Reads like Alice’s adventures in the Wonderland but for adults and Monty Python stories…

“You've got that eternal idiotic idea that if anarchy came it would come from the poor. Why should it? The poor have been rebels, but they have never been anarchists; they have more interest than anyone else in there being some decent government. The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all. Aristocrats were always anarchists, as you can see from the barons' wars."

Amazing

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Initially unsure what to expect from this read - possibly influenced by general ambivalence to spy fiction, this approach was fuelled by curiosity at its influence as a forerunner to modern spy novels. What an absolutely wonderful book, and performance of it by Toby Longworth. It is written cleverly, slickly combines story with social commentary and comes alive in the animated and skilful telling. A triumph.

Unexpectedly superb

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I’ve started this several times over the years, and didn’t give it a chance. Today, being between books, I downloaded this free book, and now realise how witty and marvellous it is, nothing like what I was expecting! Very well narrated too.

So pleased to have eventually listened to this

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I wondered in the first chapter why Kingsley Amis rated it so highly. That became apparent as the story unfolded. I could not have begun to imagine the direction we were taken. A profoundly thoughtful story. commended.

Multi Layered

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This is excellent and one of my favourite books. Subtitled A Nightmare, it follows that dream logic in which the rational world is twisted kink by kink until you are running for your life. Surely too some seeds of The Goon Show and Monty Python spring from here. Toby Longworth's reading is a joy, clearly revelling in the comic absurdity, witty lines, and giving terrifying voice to the Man who is Sunday.

I need hardly say there was a collision.

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The narration was on top-form. The story was enthralling and mysterious. It keeps you intrigued and wondering as you wander into an unnatural journey.

I enjoyed the metaphors, the description and style but some points in the philosophical jargon, the plot lost me. I didn't quite understand why it finished like that but perhaps a second listen will further I weave its intricacies.

Very philosophical and poetic

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