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A review by dreamawakebooks
Arthur & George by Julian Barnes
4.0
Shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2005, Arthur and George is the semi-biographical account of an unlikely friendship between one of Britain's most famous and best-loved authors, and a small claims solicitor from the Staffordshire village of Great Wyrley.
The timing at which I came to read this book struck me as uncanny, having just spent 9 days in Great Wyrley myself. Until I began reading, I had no idea that these events had occurred so many years ago. I was aware that the 'Arthur' of the title was the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but I had never heard of George Edalji before. Since beginning this book, I have carried out my own reading into the events that occurred, and discovered more about George Edalji and his work. I would recommend doing so, it is very enlightening, and increases the readers ability to relate to George.
Julian Barnes has handled the case of Arthur and George with genteel empathy for George, and fervid imagination in regards to 'filling in the blanks'. The story is eloquently written, with every aspect, truth or imagination, believable. The intricate relationships between characters are treated with the utmost respect, and withhold the status and standing of those involved. The case itself is greatly detailed, and George is presented as truthfully as possible throughout (based on my own reading). The fierce way in which the two men become friends and in which Arthur takes the role of 'saviour' to George is handled with decorum and very well presented, as is the developing friendship between the two gentlemen, despite their obvious differences of opinion in many areas.
In all I found the book to be an easy and enjoyable read, and I found it incredibly interesting to read some more about one of my favourite authors.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes biographical material, and any fan of Sir Conan Doyle - it is a very enlightening account of his personal struggles and the ways in which his life was affected by the spectre of Sherlock Holmes.
The timing at which I came to read this book struck me as uncanny, having just spent 9 days in Great Wyrley myself. Until I began reading, I had no idea that these events had occurred so many years ago. I was aware that the 'Arthur' of the title was the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but I had never heard of George Edalji before. Since beginning this book, I have carried out my own reading into the events that occurred, and discovered more about George Edalji and his work. I would recommend doing so, it is very enlightening, and increases the readers ability to relate to George.
Julian Barnes has handled the case of Arthur and George with genteel empathy for George, and fervid imagination in regards to 'filling in the blanks'. The story is eloquently written, with every aspect, truth or imagination, believable. The intricate relationships between characters are treated with the utmost respect, and withhold the status and standing of those involved. The case itself is greatly detailed, and George is presented as truthfully as possible throughout (based on my own reading). The fierce way in which the two men become friends and in which Arthur takes the role of 'saviour' to George is handled with decorum and very well presented, as is the developing friendship between the two gentlemen, despite their obvious differences of opinion in many areas.
In all I found the book to be an easy and enjoyable read, and I found it incredibly interesting to read some more about one of my favourite authors.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes biographical material, and any fan of Sir Conan Doyle - it is a very enlightening account of his personal struggles and the ways in which his life was affected by the spectre of Sherlock Holmes.