The Innocence of Father Brown

By: G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: John Horton

A "very short Catholic priest" who does "...not seem to know which was the right end of his return ticket," Father Brown is the embodiment of the phrase 'looks can be deceiving.' Arguably the second best-known crime-solver in English literature, this unassuming man of the cloth solves case after case with ease. Collected here are some of his best, including: "The Blue Cross," "The Secret Garden," "The Queer Fleet," "The Flying Stars," "The Invisible Man," "The Honor of Israel Gow," "The Wrong Shape," "The Sins of Prince Saradine," "The Hammer of God," "The Eye of Apollo," "The Sign of the Broken Sword," and "The Three Tools of Death."

Public Domain (P)1989 Recorded Books

I love bits of this collection of stories

I really wanted to like this. I love G.K Chesterton and his character Father Brown are men who lived their faith in a glorious way. But the audio quality was terrible. And I think the stories are a bit too dated. And the racist words that pepper the occasional story (back then were not objectionable) offended me as I listened. I wish someone would take these stories and modernize them, there is some good stuff in there that is mired in antiquity that just feels stale and sometimes offensive.

Enjoyable but curious

Loved this. It gives additional insight to the character of the TV series, as well as the true nature of Flambeau. Plus, the stories are quite entertaining.

the brilliance of Chesterton

The narrator John Horton has a depth of understanding and dramatic style the brings the brilliance of Chesterton's language to life. The listener might be sitting before the author himself, as he reads with a style to light your understanding with perfect clarity.

Imaginative

Quite an interesting turn for C K Chesterton! Never is a hint revealed as to the direction the storyline will take. Chesterton, in all his use of language, makes each moment an anticipation for the next.

Unabtrusive Edwardian counterpoint to Sherlock H.

G.K. Chesterton's empathetic little detective seems like an unabtrusive Edwardian counterpoint to Sherlock Holmes. While Sherlock Holmes ability to adapt allows him to escape both time and place (House to Sherlock to Elementary), Father Brown is (like Catholicism itself) almost tied to man's fallen state and the early 20th century.

That being said, there are many of Chesterton's stories which I solidly prefer to Doyle's. Chesterton's prose, his love of paradox, his appreciation for humility, his black humor and his empathy for mankind makes me emotionally connected to Father Brown in ways I never managed with Sherlock Holmes

Intriguing mysteries, excellent readings

While the audio could be just a little clearer (otherwise, 5 stars), this first set of Father Brown stories have been enjoyed by our whole family.

A very special set of recordings

Not only is this first set of the Father Brown stories indispensable to any lover of Chesterton (or even detective stories for that matter), but the performance is delightful. I've seen several presentations of the Father Brown material and character, but none captures the spirit of Chesterton and his little English priest as well as John Horton has here.