Books 2014: Arthur & George

One of my favourite reads of 2014 and of course written by Julian Barnes, first published in 2005. I started reading it because it was by Barnes, and I didn't really check what is was all about. It therefore took quite a few pages until I realised that Arthur in the novel is in fact Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories. George is a half-Indian solicitor who is wrongfully accused of a crime. He seeks the help of Arthur and Arthur spends considerable time and effort in not just clearing George's name, but also solving the crime. The novel is to some extent based on the true story of this case. The characters and their lives are wonderfully portrayed, and with them a glimpse of turn-of-the-century Britain.

Barnes, Julian (2012): Arthur & George. London: Vintage. Kindle edition.