Arthur & George (novel)
"Arthur & George" is a novel written by Julian Barnes published by Jonathan Cape on 7 july 2005.
The novel is an adaptation of the real case of George Edalji in which Arthur Conan Doyle was involved. Julian Barnes called it "a contemporary novel set in the past" and the book does not aim to stick closely to the historical record at every point.
The novel has been adapted for TV as a mini-series in 2015 : Arthur & George, with Martin Clunes as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Arsher Ali as George Edalji.
Plot summary
Set at the turn of the 20th century, the story follows the separate but intersecting lives of two very different British men : a half-Indian solicitor and son of a vicar, George Edalji, and the world-famous author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Roughly one-third of the book traces the story of George Edalji's trial, conviction, and imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. About one-third of the book traces the story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's life and his relationships with his first wife Louisa Hawkins and his platonic lover Jean Elizabeth Leckie. Roughly one-third of the book concerns Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's attempt to clear the name of Edalji and uncover the true culprit of the crime.
Characters
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle : the famous author.
- 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.
- Jean Leckie : Conan Doyle's second wife.
- Louisa Doyle née Hawkins : Conan Doyle's wife.
- The Mam : Conan Doyle's mother.
- Connie Doyle Hornung : Conan Doyle's sister.
- Willie Hornung (E. W. Hornung) : Connie's husband.
- Mary Doyle : Conan Doyle's daughter.
