‘Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable.’

First published in 1914 and packed with humour and political critique, The Flying Inn is a glowing celebration of freedom, and remains one of G.K. Chesterton’s most spirited works in his corpus.

A satirical adventure novel, The Flying Inn is set in a quirky, dystopian England in which a new puritanical government has outlawed alcohol and other traditional English customs. Enter Humphrey Pump and his spirited friend Captain Patrick Dalroy, who take it upon themselves to supply what the government refuses. Taking to the countryside with a cart and barrel of rum, Pump and Dalroy create a ‘flying inn’ which travels with them. As they dodge the authorities, take advantage of legal loopholes and rally the common people, the story becomes a rocking rebellion against bureaucracy, celebrating merriment, individual liberty and the enduring soul of England. Witty and packed with political critique, The Flying Inn is Chesterton at his finest.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 – 1936) was an English novelist, philosopher, journalist and critic. A Christian apologist, he is famed for creating the fictional priest-detective Father Brown. His writing was also renowned for his sense of humour: known as ‘the prince of paradox’, Chesterton often turned common sayings upside down. Admired by several of his literary contemporaries, Chesterton’s work is still widely read today.