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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is based on a true case in England that did, in fact, involve the two parties of the title – George Edalji, who was erroneously charged and convicted of a heinous crime, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who brought his fame, resources, deductive reasoning and tenacity to correcting a gross injustice.
Their stories are told in alternating chapters, giving the reader a clear background on each character – their similarities and differences. Edalji was the English-born son of a Parsee and his Scottish wife. His father was a Vicar, and he and his siblings grew up in a relatively comfortable home in a small town, their lives centered on school and church. George was born and always considered himself an Englishman. Doyle was of Irish ancestry, born in Scotland, raised Catholic and educated by Dutch Jesuits; Arthur became English.
When a series of animal mutilations occur in the area around the village where George and his parents live, suspicions quickly focus on Edalji – a quiet, shy, solicitor with no apparent friends or social life in the village. Eventually George writes to the famous creator of master detective Sherlock Holmes in a plea for help. Arthur has never heard of George Edalji or the case, and he is in the throes of a depression, but Edalji’s letter lights a flame in Arthur. He is outraged at this gross miscarriage of justice and determines to right the wrong done to an innocent man.
Barnes uses actual letters and did extensive research into the case in writing the novel. But there is no way he could have known of the private conversations, or the thoughts of the people involved, so he classifies the work as a novel – appropriately so. It starts somewhat slowly, but I was completely fascinated by the story, and how these two very different men came together for one purpose. As a result of their efforts a major change in legal procedure came about – the institution of the Court of Appeals.
Update: 2016 - Saw the PBS mini show. Very well done, and with more "action" and "suspense" involved.
Their stories are told in alternating chapters, giving the reader a clear background on each character – their similarities and differences. Edalji was the English-born son of a Parsee and his Scottish wife. His father was a Vicar, and he and his siblings grew up in a relatively comfortable home in a small town, their lives centered on school and church. George was born and always considered himself an Englishman. Doyle was of Irish ancestry, born in Scotland, raised Catholic and educated by Dutch Jesuits; Arthur became English.
When a series of animal mutilations occur in the area around the village where George and his parents live, suspicions quickly focus on Edalji – a quiet, shy, solicitor with no apparent friends or social life in the village. Eventually George writes to the famous creator of master detective Sherlock Holmes in a plea for help. Arthur has never heard of George Edalji or the case, and he is in the throes of a depression, but Edalji’s letter lights a flame in Arthur. He is outraged at this gross miscarriage of justice and determines to right the wrong done to an innocent man.
Barnes uses actual letters and did extensive research into the case in writing the novel. But there is no way he could have known of the private conversations, or the thoughts of the people involved, so he classifies the work as a novel – appropriately so. It starts somewhat slowly, but I was completely fascinated by the story, and how these two very different men came together for one purpose. As a result of their efforts a major change in legal procedure came about – the institution of the Court of Appeals.
Update: 2016 - Saw the PBS mini show. Very well done, and with more "action" and "suspense" involved.
chester_jeebs's review against another edition
4.0
Well written, although slow paced. I like how both characters were developed.
kristacarp's review against another edition
4.0
Thought it would be a bit dry but really liked it. Interesting book, especially if you are a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle or Sherlock Holmes.
sethsb's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Slow start, lack of resolution, could have been 200 pages shorter. To the author’s credit, his writing was good enough to keep me reading for 500 pages, giving all the controversies of the characters to let the reader decide. Still, Arthur Conan Doyle was taken with spiritualism and entertained a platonic love affair while his wife was dying, and knowing those failings makes me not want to read Sherlock Holmes anymore. Julian Barnes wove an intricate balance in making the reader care about the case enough to continue on.
dilemao's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alemtzb's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the insight into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's personality and mind.
maruddon's review against another edition
3.0
Slow to get going with its multiple shifts in point of view, but once the background to Arthur and George is explained what is understood is that there is a mystery to be solved. Rich period detail of late Victorian, early Edwardian England. I did not wish to include any spoilers in this review.
halftimelord's review
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This first third of this book is probably some of the best writing I've ever read. I loved the way that the audience was introduced to George and Arthur through their childhood, and the use of changing between present and past tense throughout the book was really effective. Lots of funny bits in the narration, contrasting with the tragedy of the events taking place. I didn't enjoy the latter part of the book as much (the first section set a very high bar!) but it was still good and I didn't lose interest.
I'm really glad that Julian Barnes chose to write about these events and highlight the injustice and racism faced by George Edalji and his family. It was also the first historical book I've read set (partially) in Birmingham and it was fun seeing real life places that I walk past every day appear in this story. Looking forward to reading more from Barnes in the future.
I'm really glad that Julian Barnes chose to write about these events and highlight the injustice and racism faced by George Edalji and his family. It was also the first historical book I've read set (partially) in Birmingham and it was fun seeing real life places that I walk past every day appear in this story. Looking forward to reading more from Barnes in the future.
aljosa's review against another edition
4.0
Alas, it's not about Arthur and George Weasley. It's an incredible (and true) story of "Sherlock Holmes'" creator Arthur Connan Doyle and a solicitor named George Edalji.
It's intriguing. Probably the first book that doesn't feel like Barnes, but it's very interesting. This is my 8th Barnes book.
The mystery is very engaging, although the resolution is somewhat unsatisfactory.
I kept thinking about Harry Potter. That's no surprise when there are characters named Arthur, George, Fred, Harry and Kingsley.
It's intriguing. Probably the first book that doesn't feel like Barnes, but it's very interesting. This is my 8th Barnes book.
The mystery is very engaging, although the resolution is somewhat unsatisfactory.
I kept thinking about Harry Potter. That's no surprise when there are characters named Arthur, George, Fred, Harry and Kingsley.