The Ball and the Cross
The Ball and the Cross, published in 1909, is G. K. Chesterton's comic fantasy of faith and unbelief. Evan MacIan, a young Highland Catholic, breaks the window of James Turnbull, an atheist editor, after reading an insult to the Virgin Mary in his paper, and the two agree to settle the matter with swords. Modern England will not let them: police, journalists, lunatics, and a strangely persuasive Professor Lucifer in a flying machine keep interrupting the duel, while the enemies become friends in the course of their flight across the country. The novel is a debate in motion, full of paradox, farce and grave conviction. 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 The Ball and the Cross
The Ball and the Cross 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 The Ball and the Cross online?
Yes. The Ball and the Cross 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 The Ball and the Cross free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Ball and the Cross 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 The Ball and the Cross in the public domain?
Yes. The Ball and the Cross 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 The Ball and the Cross?
About 5 h 19 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 The Ball and the Cross?
The Ball and the Cross by G. K. Chesterton is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
