Tobias Jones: For decades you were one of Britain’s favourite writers. Then your name became almost an embarrassment among literary people: you were seen as a reactionary traditionalist. Are you happy with your posthumous reputation?
GK Chesterton: Well, one’s stock always declines somewhat when stone cold. But I’m flattered to see that, almost a century after the publication of my most significant works, I’m recognised as being prophetic: I diagnosed the malaise of postmodernism before the term was coined. People always said I was behind the times, a throwback; they’re now recognising that a traditionalist is always ahead of his era. There are dozens of Chesterton societies around the world. No self-respecting American campus is without one. Even in Italy and Russia there are societies dedicated to the study of my work. Two magazines are published in my memory: the Chesterton Review and Gilbert! Then there’s a thing called a “blog,” which purports to be written by myself.
TJ: You’ve been compared to a man you censured, Oscar Wilde, because you’re so quotable. But the criticism usually levelled at your writing is that it was flippant, almost facetious. What do you say to that?
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