Hilaire Belloc

Entertaining biography by one of England's current top literary talents. What makes this book such fun is that Wilson, while enjoying most of Belloc's works, feels that Belloc isn't quite up to snuff as far as "classic" status is concerned. In other words, this is meant to be an elegant, well-turned nail in old Belloc's literary coffin. Ahhh, but Belloc was just resting and getting his second wind. As for A. N. Wilson, he does appear destined for that cold, dark place where he tried to stuff Belloc. Wilson's last book on Iris Murdoch reminds one of the pastiche biographies he lambastes in this book. It is quite delicious to see Wilson's criticisms turn on their maker. This book is great for those misanthropes who giggle at inappropriate moments.By the bye, one really should purchase Mr. Wilson's works before they all fall out of print--they are quite well constructed, very entertainingly written, just not quite up to a certain level . . . well, you can piece together the rest.