Manalive
Manalive, published in 1912, opens with a great wind blowing across England and into the garden of Beacon House, a dull London boarding house, carrying with it Innocent Smith, a large, joyful stranger who climbs trees, picnics on the roof and within a day has set the lodgers falling in love. Then two doctors arrive with evidence that Smith is a burglar, a deserter of his wife, a bigamist and an attempted murderer, and the residents decide to try him themselves in a private court. The second half of the book unfolds the evidence charge by charge. G. K. Chesterton uses the comic plot to defend wonder, marriage and gratitude against the boredom and pessimism he saw around him. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Manalive
Manalive by G. K. Chesterton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Manalive online?
Yes. Manalive opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Manalive free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Manalive is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Manalive in the public domain?
Yes. Manalive by G. K. Chesterton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Manalive?
About 3 h 51 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Manalive?
Manalive by G. K. Chesterton is filed under "Mystery" in the Vinteuil library.
