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andyirwin89's review against another edition
4.0
A great pleasure: standard fare with Barnes. The most satisfying aspect overall to 'Arthur & George' is the manner in which Barnes has taken a true story as his basis and woven such an intriguing, clear and individual narrative around it, with two excellently penned characters at its heart.
The crystal clarity of the prose is often breathtaking, and this is particularly acute at the points where the indignities and injustices experienced by George Edalji are rendered. Barnes' own reaction to them is palpable, and for me he is at his finest when he gifts this level of focus and attention to his subject. Unlike so many of his contemporaries in the high towers of British fiction, he writes with such discipline and clinical poise, shunning lyrical and stylised self-righteousness for something altogether more human and compelling.
A&G presents a Britain in which public service incompetence can ruin lives, institutional racism is rife and 'community' is a complex concept. Yet it maintains a sense of hope within its protagonists in even the darkest of passages, and in his treatment of Arthur Conan Doyle Barnes charts the trajectory of a restless, pompous but ultimately well-meaning maverick, motivated as much by problem-solving and a personal need for distraction as correcting injustice.
The crystal clarity of the prose is often breathtaking, and this is particularly acute at the points where the indignities and injustices experienced by George Edalji are rendered. Barnes' own reaction to them is palpable, and for me he is at his finest when he gifts this level of focus and attention to his subject. Unlike so many of his contemporaries in the high towers of British fiction, he writes with such discipline and clinical poise, shunning lyrical and stylised self-righteousness for something altogether more human and compelling.
A&G presents a Britain in which public service incompetence can ruin lives, institutional racism is rife and 'community' is a complex concept. Yet it maintains a sense of hope within its protagonists in even the darkest of passages, and in his treatment of Arthur Conan Doyle Barnes charts the trajectory of a restless, pompous but ultimately well-meaning maverick, motivated as much by problem-solving and a personal need for distraction as correcting injustice.
gjmaupin's review against another edition
4.0
DO NOT read the bookflap or a back-cover blurb. They seem to revel in giving away information that is more enjoyable is it is revealed to you through the story. Turn of the century England, based on a true crime, but the book is literary instead of lurid. If that sounds up your alley, just start it without the info-blowing "trailer."
I realize afterwards that this follows the same template (albeit fictionalized) of "The Beautiful Cigar Girl," which I read a couple of months ago. Except this one (fictionalized) was less dry. The connections were clearer, and I really enjoyed the leaps the author was able to take, especially with George.
Quite good.
I realize afterwards that this follows the same template (albeit fictionalized) of "The Beautiful Cigar Girl," which I read a couple of months ago. Except this one (fictionalized) was less dry. The connections were clearer, and I really enjoyed the leaps the author was able to take, especially with George.
Quite good.
sloatsj's review
5.0
Well, I loved this. Part of the joy of reading it was having zero idea before starting what it was about. I didn't know anything. And this being my third Barnes novel, I unprepared for an ending like this one. Which I loved.
I'm not saying anything about it in case there's anyone else out there who likes to read without any advance influence.
Gonna miss it.
I'm not saying anything about it in case there's anyone else out there who likes to read without any advance influence.
Gonna miss it.
thehappybooker's review against another edition
4.0
This is a true story of Victorian justice that is entirely entertaining and absorbing, reads like a novel, and is worth reading far into the night. I recommend setting aside some serious do-nothing-else time to read it. One of the best aspects of this book is that it treats the famous Arthur and infamous George with equal time, so the reader is sympathetic with the course of both lives.
The book's not big on Victoriana (insights into life during Victoria's and Edward's regencies), but it does mention things in passing that are indicative of the age, such as the off-the-cuff mention of that passing Woking reminds Arthur of death (read "Necropolis: London and Its Dead" for the reference there). This is how I think a Victorian would have experienced the era - a passing reference in the midst of other details of life.
The author also addresses the scientific investigation of the supernatural, a common hobby of the day (along with other Victorian obsessions like mummy-unwrapping parties). Read "Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death" for more. When Barnes constructs a conversation about spiritualism between Arthur Conan Doyle and Alfred Russel Wallace during their knighthood ceremony, I got the feeling it could have happened exactly that way, since both were known in their fields for divergent expertise but had spiritualism in common.
Barnes is a master of the bon mot - speaking of Sherlock Holmes, one of his characters says, "Though he may be more humble, there's no police like Holmes." Another remarks that the English don't have a strong spirituality, and so invented cricket to give them a sense of eternity.
At close to 400 pages, it's not a fast read, which is all the more delightful. Highly recommended.
The book's not big on Victoriana (insights into life during Victoria's and Edward's regencies), but it does mention things in passing that are indicative of the age, such as the off-the-cuff mention of that passing Woking reminds Arthur of death (read "Necropolis: London and Its Dead" for the reference there). This is how I think a Victorian would have experienced the era - a passing reference in the midst of other details of life.
The author also addresses the scientific investigation of the supernatural, a common hobby of the day (along with other Victorian obsessions like mummy-unwrapping parties). Read "Ghost Hunters: William James and the Search for Scientific Proof of Life After Death" for more. When Barnes constructs a conversation about spiritualism between Arthur Conan Doyle and Alfred Russel Wallace during their knighthood ceremony, I got the feeling it could have happened exactly that way, since both were known in their fields for divergent expertise but had spiritualism in common.
Barnes is a master of the bon mot - speaking of Sherlock Holmes, one of his characters says, "Though he may be more humble, there's no police like Holmes." Another remarks that the English don't have a strong spirituality, and so invented cricket to give them a sense of eternity.
At close to 400 pages, it's not a fast read, which is all the more delightful. Highly recommended.
aliceandthegiantbookshelf's review against another edition
3.5
Too long to completely sustain my interest, which was really disappointing. Excellent writing though and I was invested in the story enough to keep reading.
robynryle's review against another edition
2.0
I finished this, but I can't really tell you much about what the point of it was. Some interesting historical insight into Victorian England?
karieh13's review
4.0
Some very interesting facts about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - along with a very compelling story about a total unknown whose life he had a dramatic effect on.
kerriebarrett's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wanderaven's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a fascinating story. I knew nothing of it going into the book and, though the writing is elegant, it's also a bit plodding sometimes, so I almost stopped early on.
Very glad I didn't, and Barnes is definitely growing on me as a preferred author. Even if one of the characters hadn't been a famous figure (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), the stories, and their confluence, were engaging. Barnes' writing is quiet, eloquent, and witty, and I will definitely be reading him again.
Very glad I didn't, and Barnes is definitely growing on me as a preferred author. Even if one of the characters hadn't been a famous figure (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), the stories, and their confluence, were engaging. Barnes' writing is quiet, eloquent, and witty, and I will definitely be reading him again.