This 1908 novel from the author of the Father Brown mystery series is subtitled A Nightmare and it certainly does have a dreamlike feel. I picked it up expecting a vintage detective novel and emerged at the other end wondering what on earth I had just been reading and what it meant.
The novel opens with a conversation between two men who meet for the first time one evening in Saffron Park in London. One, Lucian Gregory, is an anarchist poet; the other, Gabriel Syme, is a member of the secret anti-anarchist police. They spend the whole of the first chapter debating the meanings of anarchy and of law and order, using arguments like this:
Gregory struck out with his stick at the lamp-post, and then at the tree. “About this and this,” he cried; “about order and anarchy. There is your precious order, that lean, iron lamp, ugly and barren; and there is anarchy, rich, living, reproducing itself—there is anarchy, splendid in green and gold.”
“All the same,” replied Syme patiently, “just at present you only see the tree by the light of the lamp. I wonder when you would ever see the lamp by the light of the tree.”
And this:
“An artist disregards all governments, abolishes all conventions. The poet delights in disorder only. If it were not so, the most poetical thing in the world would be the Underground Railway.”
“So it is,” said Mr. Syme.
“Nonsense!” said Gregory, who was very rational when anyone else attempted paradox.
It seems they will never agree, but to at least prove that he is serious about his cause, Gregory invites Syme to accompany him to an underground meeting of anarchists. Gregory gets more than he bargained for, however, when Syme puts himself forward for a position in which he himself had been interested: one of seven coveted seats on the Council of the Seven Days, the central council of the European anarchists.
Elected to the council and given the code name Thursday, Syme is introduced to his fellow days of the week, but will he be able to prevent them from guessing that he is an undercover policeman? And who is Sunday, their mysterious and sinister leader who is so big, so powerful and so much larger than life?
I don’t think there is much more I can say about the plot without spoiling the story. I can’t discuss the themes of the novel either, or the symbolism it contains, because those things are also spoilers. It’s such a strange and unusual book that I really think it’s best not to know too much about it before you begin. Just be aware that it’s not a conventional mystery or detective novel (or a conventional anything). There are parts that I loved, such as a scene where Syme is followed through the streets of London in the snow; there are funny moments too, some witty and amusing dialogue, and lots of thought-provoking philosophical ideas. At other times it becomes a little bit too bizarre, particularly after the action moves to France halfway through the book.
There are plot twists throughout the novel, some of which are quite predictable – but the revelations near the end of the book were not what I had been expecting at all. Looking back, there were plenty of hints and clues, but I didn’t pick up on them. I’m sure I didn’t fully grasp what Chesterton was trying to say, but I think there are probably different ways to interpret this book anyway. It certainly left me with a lot to think about and I love it when that happens – when you continue to engage with a story even after you’ve turned the final page.
I don’t have any more of Chesterton’s books, but I see there are some I could read for free at Project Gutenberg. I have previously read two of his Father Brown short stories (included in Miraculous Mysteries and Murder Under the Christmas Tree); should I read more of those or is there another of his books that you would recommend?
She Reads Novels 
Was this made into a film? The plot is definitely familiar but I’m fairly certain that I haven’t read the book.
I’ve found a reference to a 2016 film but it looks as though that’s the only time it has been filmed. It seems to have been adapted for BBC radio a few times, though.
That’s probably it then; I love a good radio play.
I read this, my first experience with Chesterton a bit over a year ago. I enjoyed it for the most part, but like at the end I was rather perplexed. I don’t reread a lot, but this is one I may have to reread several times. Fortunately, it’s nice and short.
Yes, I think several rereads would be needed to be able to fully understand this book!
I felt completely cheated at the end of this, because what began as a conventional thriller ended as an allegory with which I felt pummelled to unwilling submission. Chesterton’s ultra-Catholicism got in the way of a promising piece of fiction, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. (And this isn’t really a spoiler, as many editions strongly hint at this on their cover blurbs.)
I’m reading Joseph Conrad’s ‘The Secret Agent’ at the moment, which had actually been published the year before Chesterton’s novel. I suspect I shall enjoy this a lot more!
I understand what you mean and having looked at other reviews of this book I think a lot of people feel cheated on reaching the end. It certainly isn’t what it appears to be at the beginning! I haven’t read The Secret Agent but I hope you have a better experience with that one.
The Conrad starts slow (it’s surprisingly verbose) but I think I’m getting the hang of it now. Very different from his ‘Heart of Darkness’ I’m finding.
It’s a bit bonkers, isn’t it? But I found it great fun!
Yes, so did I. I had no idea what it was about when I decided to read it, so there were plenty of surprises in store for me!
Great review of a hard-to-review book! This is one of my very favorites. The first time I read it, the ending turned me off, but after I re-read it once or twice, I finally “got it.” Truly a unique story.
From Project Gutenberg, I highly recommend Chesterton’s “The Club of Queer Trades” – there’s also an excellent, free audiobook read by David Barnes on LibriVox. It’s basically a parody of Sherlock Holmes, but with a Chestertonian twist. 🙂
Yes, it was hard to know how much I could say without spoiling the book for future readers! I’m glad you enjoyed it too – I will definitely have to re-read it before I can come close to fully understanding it.
I like the sound of The Club of Queer Trades, so I’ll think about reading that one next. Thanks for the suggestion!
I think I’ve only read one Father Brown but wasn’t interested in the religious message.
I enjoyed one of the Father Brown short stories I read but not the other. I suppose some will have stronger religious elements than others.
This sounds very interesting! In what years was the novel set, do you think?
I’m not sure, but I assumed it was set around the time it was published – the first decade of the 20th century.