ARTHUR & GEORGE. (2011). Julian Barnes. *****.
This is a marvelously written novel about two very different men, Arthur and George (duh). Arthur turns out to be Arthur Conan Doyle, and George is George Edalji. Do not be put off by the beginning of this novel, where the author fleshes out his two men using the see-saw technique that seems so popular these days. Once through this, the story can really begin. Basically, it is the tale of the righting of an injustice towards a man, George, wrongfully accused of a crime that he did not commit, but judged guilty and sentenced to a term in prison. It was only when Sir Arthur learned of the case that any action was taken to look into the case further. The details of the case – mostly based on true events – are made clear, along with new evidence discovered by Doyle, achieve a clarity that they never had when presented as evidence in the trial. Doyle’s championing of this case ultimately led to a significant change in England’s judicial system that persists to this day. I can’t say a lot more about the story without giving away, but Mr. Barnes’s skillful writing allows the reader to participate in the interaction of these two men and in the work done by Doyle – acting much like his ficional detective – to move forward with George’s case. This is a riveting book that justly won the Booker prize this year. Highly recommended.