The Man Who Was Thursday

The Man Who Was Thursday is a classic crime thriller written by G. K. Chesterton and first published in 1908. Also known as A Nightmare, this classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weighty concepts, and somehow he manages to blend all of it together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today. As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. Soon they elect Symes their newest member, Thursday. But they don't know he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchist organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, all working for the same cause. But who and what is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization? Hot-air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels, and police chases all go to make up this satirical spy novel that both educates and entertains.