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The Wisdom of Father Brown cover art

The Wisdom of Father Brown

By: G. K. Chesterton
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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Summary

G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown is perhaps the most lovable amateur detective ever created. This short, shabby priest with his cherubic, round face attracts situations that baffle everyone - except Father Brown and his rather naïve wisdom.

The twelve enthralling stories in this book take Father Brown from London to Cornwall, from Italy to France, as he gets involved with bandits, treason, murder, curses, and an American crime-detection machine. And every problem he comes up against he solves with a simplicity of argument that leaves the other characters wondering, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Stories include:

  • “The Absence of Mr. Glass,”
  • “The Paradise of Thieves,”
  • “The Duel of Dr. Hirsch,"
  • “The Man in the Passage”
  • “The Mistake of the Machine”
  • “The Head of Caesar”
  • “The Purple Wig”
  • “The Perishing of the Pendragons,”
  • “The God of the Gongs,”
  • “The Salad of Colonel Cray,”
  • “The Strange Crime of John Boulnois”
  • “The Fairy Tale of Father Brown”

G. K. CHESTERTON (1874–1936) authored thousands of works, including compilations of his voluminous journalism, novels, short stories, essays, biography, history, criticism, Christian apologetics, poetry, and plays. His work is characterized by tremendous zest and energy, a mastery of paradox, a robust humor, and forthright devotion.

Public Domain (P)1992 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Wisdom of Father Brown

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Jo
  • 09-04-24

Love this character but not the narrator

The narration is sadly old and dull, it does not suit the character at all.
It would be great if these were all re-done with Mark Williams - then I'd happilly rebuy the lot.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Great Mixture of Crime, Comedy and Compassion

The Second Father Brown Short Story Compilation:

Father Brown is an endearing character who is able to use intelligence, experience humour and compassion in the detection of crime and mystery.

The narrator; Frederick Davidson is an acquired taste but it does not much detract from the stories.

Please be aware that this book was complied in 1914, so some of the language and opinions are a bit out of date / archaic. It also (unsurprisingly for a book featuring a catholic priest) is is written from unashamedly positive Christian and Catholic viewpoint.

Full Story Listing:

1. "The Absence of Mr Glass" - Who is the sinister 'Mr Glass'?
2. "The Paradise of Thieves" - Highway Robbery
3. "The Duel of Dr Hirsch" - Politics and reputation
4. "The Man in the Passage" - A rare case of Father Brown as a witness in a criminal trial
5. "The Mistake of the Machine" - Lie detector tests on trial
6. "The Head of Caesar" - Coin Collecting
7. "The Purple Wig" - What terrible secret s it hiding?
8. "The Perishing of the Pendragons" - A family curse?
9. "The God of the Gongs" - Boxing mystery
10. "The Salad of Colonel Cray" - Who stole the seasoning?
11. "The Strange Crime of John Boulnois" - Neighbours & Alibis
12. "The Fairy Tale of Father Brown" - Ally or Enemy?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have re-'read' it many times, I think story 10 is the best.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

Interesting and varied stories, even though it's highly incredible that one priest should run across so much crime...

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

terrible narrator

terrible narrator, really off putting voice and supercilious delivery.
I couldn't last more than 10 minutes and have now found a much better version

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Writing ok, ruined by reading

The arch narration deadens
these stories, which some of us have grown to enjoy via the tv series

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I've lost Father Brown!!

I felt as if this book was not from the same pen as others I have read. And much to my sorrow I did not enjoy the reader or the stories. However I will dip into the stories again, but not as a whole book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

poor narration

really tried but could not finish. I love the father brown books but the peculiar narration put me off.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

The narration was not good and so although I love the stories I had to give up on this book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Badly chosen narrator

The narrator for this story has a supercilious, slightly nasal, sneering voice. He is completely wrong for the Father Brown stories which are about a gentle, unassuming priest. It put me right off. Try another narrator!!

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Dreadful narrator overpowers the story

Rarely have I been so disappointed by a narration.

The drawling intonation overpowers the story to the point it’s impossible to follow.it’s as if the narrator is performing under duress to deliver a story they sound patently underwhelmed by and bored to do so.

Awful

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2 people found this helpful