Defiant Joy by Kevin Belmonte

G.K. Chesterton was a unapologetic Christian and a giant in the world of literature and criticism. His work influenced many Christian writers including C.S. Lewis and Philip Yancey. He lived at a time when the Modernist movement was seeking to displace Christianity leaving people feeling hopeless and despairing, Chesterton himself was among the hopeless until he began to believe in God. Kevin Belmonte's biography of Chesterton, Defiant Joy, is a fascinating look at a man whose impact on literature, criticism, and Christian apologetics is, perhaps, unparalleled.

I first learned about G.K. Chesterton in college. I do not recall the class I was in when I was given Chesterton essays to read (although I could tell you that my professor was Marlin VandenBosch) but I do recall finding them sometimes difficult but often refreshing and insightful. As the years have passed, I've often wished I could read those essays again. Consequently when I saw Belmonte's book available on BookSneeze, I jumped at the opportunity to learn more about Chesterton.

Chesterton was a larger than life man in both his physical presence and in his intellectual abilities. Belmonte provides an abundance of quotes that allow the reader to get a real taste for Chesterton's writing and intellectual scope. He also introduces the reader to some of the most important writings in Chesterton's bibliography including The Man Who was Called Thursday, Heretics and Orthodoxy, The Everlasting Man, and his popular Father Brown mysteries.
I am came away from Belmonte's biography, Defiant Joy, anxious to get my hands on some of Chesterton's work and renew my acquaintance with his unique perspective on life and Christianity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."