Julian Barnes
Arthur and George (2005)
Author: Julian Barnes
Genre: Historical
Plot Summary:
This book chronicles the lives of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his friend George Edalji. It follows their lives as they grow up in vastly different circumstances and pursue their lives and careers. The two meet after George is falsely imprisoned and Arthur sets out to clear his name. Through the process the two men are able to move on with their lives, George to return to practicing law and Arthur to return to writing and recover from the loss of his first wife.
Geographical Setting: England, Scotland
Time Period: 19th Century
Appeal Characteristics:
Barnes has a highly literary writing style. He allows the story to slowly proceed and goes to great lengths to flesh out the characters. There are many details of the- lives of the characters and of Victorian England as well. It is also interesting to see how the racial element plays out in the story. George is tormented and falsely imprisoned because his father is Parsi. Overall the book is a very compelling read. It goes back and forth between the lives of George and Arthur and you are able to see the story from both perspectives.
Read-alikes: Other works by Julian Barnes especially Flaubert's Parrot for its writing style and look at the life of a famous literary figure and Talking it Over for its emphasis on friendship and the love triangle that reflect part of Arthur's story. For a look at the English/Indian social dynamic Silk by Linda Chaikin. For other literary historical fiction there is Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber that follows the life of a prostitute in Victorian England. Nicolas Cooke: Actor, Soldier, Physician, Priest by Stephanie Cowell is set in Elizabethan England and follows the life of a man through several professions and interactions with many historical figures including William Shakespeare.
Red Flags: Racist comments
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