Arthur & George
 first edition cover | |
| Author | Julian Barnes |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Bill Sanderson |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
Publication date | 7 July 2005 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 352 pp (hardback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-224-07703-1 (hardback edition) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Arthur & George (2005) is the tenth novel by English author Julian Barnes which takes as its basis the true story of the 'Great Wyrley Outrages.'
Plot introduction
Set at the turn of the 20th century, it follows two actual historical figures: the rather obscure George Edalji, a half-Indian solicitor wrongfully accused of ruthlessly slaying a number of farm animals, and the well-known Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Upon the death of his first wife, Doyle finds himself unable to find pleasure in either life or the mistress he's kept for quite some time. When he stumbles upon the case of Mr. Edalji, he decides for the first time to enter into the real world of detective work.
Characters in "Arthur & George"
- George Edalji, solicitor in Birmingham
- Charlotte Edalji née Stoneham, George's mother
- Shapurji Edalji, George's father, vicar of Great Wyrley
- Maud Edalji, George's sister
- Mr. Meek, George's lawyer
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author
- Jean Leckie, Conan Doyle's second wife
- Louisa "Touie" Hawkins, Doyle's wife
- The Mam, Arthur's mother
- Connie, Arthur's sister
- Willie Hornung, Connie's husband
- Mary Doyle, Arthur and Touie's daughter
Main themes
Arthur and George is laden with the unique and complex form of irony, simultaneously comic and tragic, that Barnes is known for. In this novel, however, Edalji's race, and the question as to how large a part it played in his wrongful conviction, represents a new theme for Barnes. Other themes, however, are more familiar Barnes territory: "Britishness" in its frustrating complacence, death and spirituality, and the challenges faced by the human heart. As always, Barnes is interested in how characters are shaped over time; Arthur & George is in many ways a continued exploration of the themes he explored in Metroland, Talking it Over, Love, Etc., and especially The Lemon Table.
Awards and nominations
- 2005 Man Booker Prize shortlist.
- 2007 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award shortlist
Release details
- 2005, UK, Jonathan Cape ISBN 0-224-07703-1, Pub date 7 July 2005, hardback
- 2005, Canada, Random House ISBN 0-679-31417-2, Pub date 9 September 2005, hardback
- 2006, USA, Alfred A. Knopf ISBN 0-307-26310-X, Pub date 3 January 2006, hardback