Manalive

First published in 1912, G. K. Chesterton’s “Manalive” is the fascinating and incredible story of Innocent Smith, a man who can be described as a “holy fool”. Innocent arrives at Beacon House, a London boarding establishment, and breathes new life into the residents with his games and antics. All in one day he creates the “High Court of Beacon”, decides to elope with one of the residents, and convinces another lodger to declare his love for the landlady’s niece. However, the authorities arrive and it is soon discovered that Smith is a suspected criminal who is to be brought up on charges of burglary, desertion of a spouse, polygamy, and attempted murder. The boarding house’s residents decide to keep his presence a secret and convene their own “High Court of Beacon” to determine Smith’s innocence or guilt. Smith’s trial is a comical affair where curious and hilarious explanations are given for the charges against Smith, proving that he is not a criminal but is instead a lovable, but naïve and foolish man. This edition includes a biographical afterword.