Arthur & George

Arthur & George is the 2005 novel by 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 – half-indian solicitor
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – the famous author
Conan Doyle's mistress
Conan Doyle's wife

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: the issue of race. 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

Arthur & George was shortlisted for the 2005 Man Booker Prize.

Release details

2005, UK, Jonathan Cape ISBN 0224077031, Pub date 7 July 2005, hardback
2005, Canada, Random House ISBN ?, Pub date ? October 2005, hardback
2006, USA, Alfred A. Knopf ISBN 030726310X, Pub date 3 January 2006, hardback

External links

Arthur & George site