Manalive

When a whirlwind literally deposits the behemoth Innocent Smith onto the doorstep of a London boardinghouse, the lives of its staid residents are upended by his bizarre, often alarming, and undeniably joyous antics. From stealing hats to breaking into houses, and even attempting murder, Smith's actions lead to a full-blown trial where his bewildered new acquaintances, along with various experts, must determine if he is a dangerous lunatic or a profound, if unconventional, sage. Through a series of revelatory letters and impassioned arguments, Chesterton masterfully unpacks the true nature of Smith's 'crimes' and the surprising logic behind his seemingly illogical zest for life.