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| Arthur and George | 
 enlarge | Author: Julian Barnes
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
New (35) from £0.05
Avg. Customer Rating:  36 reviews
Sales Rank: 13090
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 512
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 1.4
ISBN: 0099492733
EAN: 9780099492733
ASIN: 0099492733
Publication Date: September 7, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Precise, Dignified, and Perhaps Ultimately Pointless? October 30, 2006
16 out of 23 found this review helpful
The tail end of the Victorian era and the bulk of Edwardian England come semi-alive in this precise novel based on true events. "Semi-alive" because while Barnes' recreation of that time and place is utterly meticulous and painted with a very fine brush, it is also borderline tedious in its dignified approach. As the title implies, the story revolves around two characters: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (most famously the creator of Sherlock Holmes) and George Edalji (not particuarly famous at all, other than as victim of a miscarriage of justice).
The book starts off as a kind of alternating biography of these two men. Doyle's semi-desperate childhood in Edinburgh, rise through the educational ranks, and early years as a London doctor are, in some ways, the most interesting part of the book. George's life as the son of a Staffordshire village vicar is notable in that he is a mixed race child -- his mother Scottish and his father an Indian Parsi. Little is actually verifiable about his early life, so Barnes creates a very plausible sheltered childhood in which George grows up to become a rather pedantic young man and Birmingham lawyer.
One of the novel's clear themes concerns how the paths of the two intellectually-oriented men diverge. Doyle rises to become one of the most celebrated men of his era, while George is an obscure little man who develops himself as an expert in railway law. It would be tempting to draw the simple conclusion that this is meant to show the inherent racism of the place and time, however Barnes is careful to show how the personality of each man -- and luck -- plays a preeminent role in their fortune. The two men are joined by what was known at the the as "The Great Wyrley Outrages", in which farm livestock were found mysteriously mutilated in Staffordshire.
This case form the bulk of the story, as George is accused of the crimes, which seem totally unlikely for him to have committed. The real-life investigation and subsequent legal procedings are laid out in great detail -- and the obvious flaws in the prosecution and impending miscarriage of justice may well draw howls of frustration from the modern reader. Meanwhile, Doyle is in a funk following the death of his long-ill wife and the case draws his attention. Roused from his torpor, he becomes George's champion, vowing to overturn the miscarriage of justice and to seek full reparations for him. Thus we have an entire re-investigation by Doyle and his secretary, and another battle with the authorities ensues. Barnes hews to the real-life events and outcomes, which, while admirably realistic in haziness, may prove somewhat frustrating to readers who were hoping to be rewarded with a neat fictional solution after slogging through 400 pages.
In many ways the intersection of Arthur and George is less about the events that brought them together than it is an excuse for Barnes to write about the era and to explore the inner lives of men of the time. Each is internally tortured by their way of thinking about the world: Arthur is in thrall to a code of chivalry and honor instilled by his mother, while George believes utterly in his Englishness and the inate fairness of the system. while it's somewhat interesting to peer into all the hopes and dreams of Doyle, and learn about his love life, it's hard not to think that perhaps Barnes should have written a good interpretive biography instead. Indeed, other than as a writing exercise, it's not particularly clear what the point of the book is. It's certainly well-written, but it doesn't provoke, well... much of anything.
 A must read book of 2006 June 14, 2006
19 out of 21 found this review helpful
I initially judged this book by it's cover ( being an artist I liked the design), but fortunately this flawed buying procedure turned out to be successful, as I immensely enjoyed this accomplished piece of work. It is extremely well written, with an excellent description and development of two very different but equally intriguing characters. Based on true events, it seems to have been very well researched and a bygone era is brought vividly and convincingly to life. There are many themes explored throughout the novel, guilt and innocence, the mystery of life and death, but these are skillfully woven into a plot that at times reads like a thriller. In this sense it's quite an usual book, but personally made it all the more interesting. All in all, this is an absorbing, very readable and often touching book by an obviously very talented writer.
Just my cup of tea May 13, 2006
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
Quintessentially English as a good pot of tea, Arthur & George can be sipped down pleasantly as it tips between its two protangonists and their very different lives. And what figure more English could one choose than Arthur Conan Doyle, creator and here it seems imitator, of the great Sherlock Holmes? The novel's based quite tightly on historical events and reads as if it's ideally designed to be enjoyed without too much prior knowledge, so I won't give too much away. Suffice to say that George is a solicitor accused of a crime he almost certainly did not commit, while the reknowned Arthur becomes his unlikely champion. The writing is slow and mellow as you might expect from such a fine brew, and if it has a downside, it's that its faith to real events makes it slightly predictable. Still, there's a lively bout of leaf gazing in the seances of its final pages to keep you guessing. A worthy Booker nominee, and recommended (lays cup to saucer with a chink).
Spectacles Book Club April 20, 2006
8 out of 23 found this review helpful
Admittedly all the members of our book club are female - and middle aged ones at that - but the majority of us found Arthur & George rather tedious, both in the reading and in the heroes' personalities. Without doubt, it is a complex and well written book but the style lacked both emotion and humour. Having said that, the insight into the mores of the times was fascinating and those of who finished the book (some of our number gave up on it) were pleased we had done so.
 FASCINATING BOOK! March 12, 2006
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I was not sure what to expect from this book, as I hadn't read anything of Julian Barnes' books before this.
However, from the first word, I was captivated but I didn't want to rush through it as one often does with 'mystery' novels.
The style of writing is dignified without ever being ponderous, and it fits perfectly with the times and the characters.
The characters are skilfully portrayed and there is a wonderful feeling of 'rightness' in the construction of each persona.
George Edalji behaves exactly as one would expect:"But beneath the exhaustion and the anger and the fear, George discovered another emotion: relief. It had come at last to this: then so much the better. There had been little he could do against the hoaxers and persecutors and writers of anonymous filth, and not much more when the police were blundering away - except offer them sensible advice they had contemptuously refused.'"
And Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, despite his misgivings about his own morality, gives the impression of a man who is so wonderfully solid and reliable: "'I understand your father,' says Sir Arthur. It is a phrase, George realises , that he has never in his life heard before. 'The truths of one's race and the the truth's of one's religion does not always lie in the same valley. Sometimes it is necessary to cross a high ridge in winter snow to find the greater truth.'
George ponders this remark as if it is part of a sworn affadavit." All the 'minor' characters are accorded the same attention to detail and the plot unwinds with the confidence and dedication of the author being shown in his consummate skill.
A surprise is given to us at the end of the book which I shall withhold, but it makes the book more appealing as a result. Do buy it - it is an excellent book.
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