Book: Arthur & George

"Arthur & George" by Julian Barnes delves into the worlds of two distinct yet intertwined lives in late Victorian England. Arthur Conan Doyle, the celebrated creator of Sherlock Holmes, is grappling with personal loss and professional success. Meanwhile, George Edalji, the son of a vicar in a small Staffordshire village, faces the ultimate nightmare when he is wrongfully accused of a series of gruesome livestock mutilations. Their paths eventually cross when Arthur takes up George's case, driven by a sense of justice and his own belief in logic and reason. The novel explores themes of identity, justice, and the clash between the established social order and individuality. Barnes skillfully interweaves historical facts with fiction, creating a narrative that is both a meticulous reconstruction of an era and a compelling examination of character and morality. The story, rich with detail and emotional depth, captures the essence of an era while posing timeless questions about truth and the power of belief.