The Man Who was Thursday
by
G. K. Chesterton
Found this in a charity shop a few days ago. I was previously made aware of it as it is frequently referenced in the video game,
Deus Ex.
Gabriel Syme, a Scotland Yard detective, is given a top secret assignment. He is to adopt the persona of Thursday and infiltrate a terrorist organisation. Once he is installed, he is to collect evidence as to the identity of the terrorists' leader, known only as Sunday. Syme's mission has him travelling across Europe to try and stop Sunday's assassination plot. However, Syme learns all is not what it seems and soon he is questioning his mission, as well as the reality around him.
This is a really strange book. It starts like a spy novel and then it morphs into a comedic Boy's Own adventure. What really sets it apart is the philosophical questions that are raised (duty and loyalty to one's orders) and the dream like tone throughout. Characters cross the English channel in a matter of five minutes and it switches from bright daylight to pitch black darkness in the blink of an eye.
The novel ends abruptly just as it raises more major questions but this is intended. The novel is subtitled "A Nightmare" and is perhaps the religious musings of its author. Chesterton was a deeply devout individual and wrote
TMWwT during a crisis of faith. Indeed, the book can be seen as Chesterton tying to work out why God works in mysterious ways.
The writing style may scare off some readers (Chesterton relies too much on adverbs) but others will find an intriguing read here. If you enjoyed
Deus Ex, you should check it out.