Barnes, Julian: *1946

Arthur & George, 2006 - Information about the Book

  • General Information
    • Tracing a string of crimes alleged to involve an attorney named George Edalji, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle struggles to not only right injustice, but also to keep his own name out of the mud.
    • Julian Barnes' inspiration for writing “Arthur & George”:
      Julian Barnes found inspiration for his novel" Arthur & George" in a true historical case involving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, and a man named George Edalji. The novel is a fictionalized account of real events surrounding Edalji's wrongful conviction and Conan Doyle's role in seeking justice for him.

      Barnes extensively researched the case, incorporating historical records, court documents, and Conan Doyle's writings to create a richly detailed and layered novel. This careful balance of historical fidelity and literary creativity makes "Arthur & George" a fascinating exploration of truth, justice, and human complexity.

    • Information from Wikipedia
    • Information from Julian Barnes's Homepage
  • Facts
    • Awards: "Arthur & George" received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for numerous awards. It won the 2005 Costa Book Awards (formerly known as the Whitbread Book Awards) for Best Novel.

    • The Nature of Truth and Storytelling
      Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, represents the power of narrative and imagination, while George Edalji, the wrongfully accused solicitor, is grounded in facts and reality. The novel examines the tension between these two perspectives.

      Racial Prejudice and Injustice
      George Edalji, being of mixed race, faces discrimination and is wrongfully convicted due to racial bias, despite a lack of evidence. The novel highlights the injustices faced by minorities in Victorian England.

      Honor and Morality
      Arthur struggles with his sense of honor and morality, particularly regarding his feelings for Jean Leckie while still married to his wife Touie. The novel explores the complexities of human relationships and personal ethics.

      The Legal System
      The novel critiques the flaws in the legal system, as George is convicted on circumstantial evidence and denied proper appeals. It also touches on the introduction of an appeals court in England, inspired by cases like George's.

      Spiritualism and Belief
      Arthur's interest in spiritualism and the supernatural contrasts with George's rational, fact-based worldview, raising questions about the nature of belief and knowledge.

      Overall, "Arthur & George" talks about themes of truth, prejudice, morality, and the human capacity for both injustice and redemption.

      Developed by AI

    • Reader Rating:
  • Commentary
    • The novel is quite factual and gives an interesting look at Conan Doyle's family life, medical background, experiences as a famous writer and devotion to Spiritualism. Edalji's story shows how ethnicity can affect an entire life and also the effect of an unidentified serious visual defect on childhood and development. It was an uplifting reading experience and makes Conan Doyle's doctor stories more meaningful.
      Marjorie S. Sirridge
      Excerpted, with permission, from the Literature, Arts, and Medicine Database at New York University School of Medicine, © New York University.
  • Author
    • An evening with Julian Barnes. Host: Thomas Bodmer. SwissEduc; Zurich, Switzerland; June 2, 2007
      Julian Barnes talks about ...
      • ... the background of the novel
      • ... Dole's interest in the case
      • ... the seance session at the end of the novel and his own faith (answer to a question from a guest)
    • Podcast
      Julian Barnes answers readers' questions
  • Reviews
    • Review: "Barnes' prose throughout the novel effortlessly evokes its period: it is dry and utilitarian." April 30, 2006
  • Explanations
    • Audio (5:27)
      The Birth of a Detective: 'Arthur and George', by Maureen Corrigan. "Arthur and George vividly details how the lives of two utter strangers intersected in what was known as "the Great Wyrley Outrages" 100 years ago." NPR Radio; January 26, 2006
    • Actors Arsher Ali and the creative team behind Arthur & George, discuss their TV adaptation of the Julian Barnes novel
    • Show me the way to go, Holmes: "For all the numerous retellings of Conan Doyle's life, it is hard to imagine that Barnes's semi-fictional version could be bettered in texture or acuity." The Guardian; June 26, 2005