Jennifer's review of Arthur and George
Arthur and George by Julian Barnes
I remembered reading a review of this book, and thinking that sounds novel (pardon the pun). Based on fact, but written in a way that more closely resembles fiction than a biography.
Barnes sucks the reader in fairly quickly by setting up the two central characters on a collision course that no one would have anticipated. A country solicitor and a world-renowned author don't have anything in common other than the pursuit of equity and justice.
I'm not fan of Sherlock Holmes, having never read even one, but I loved learning about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's reluctance for being famous on account of those books. The influence of family and society in Doyle's life was significant and seeing how that drove him gave me new perspective on the Sherlock Holmes series.
As for Arthur's partner in crime (George), his story is one that horrifies and yet is still happening today. Racism and injustice are not new topics for the modern-day reader, but when one realizes the extent to which peo...more
Barnes sucks the reader in fairly quickly by setting up the two central characters on a collision course that no one would have anticipated. A country solicitor and a world-renowned author don't have anything in common other than the pursuit of equity and justice.
I'm not fan of Sherlock Holmes, having never read even one, but I loved learning about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's reluctance for being famous on account of those books. The influence of family and society in Doyle's life was significant and seeing how that drove him gave me new perspective on the Sherlock Holmes series.
As for Arthur's partner in crime (George), his story is one that horrifies and yet is still happening today. Racism and injustice are not new topics for the modern-day reader, but when one realizes the extent to which peo...more
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