Arthur and George

Arthur and George were born in England in the late nineteenth century, but for a long time their paths didn’t cross. Arthur’s world was Catholic Edinburgh—slightly battered, yet noble; George grew up in a vicar’s house in a Staffordshire village. Arthur was destined to become one of the most famous people of his time, while George became a lawyer in Birmingham and was content with his modest lot. However, a new century begins, and they are thrown into an unexpected encounter—thanks to events that the newspapers of the time screamed about: the murders of cattle in the village of Great Wyrley. As if taking up the investigation in the same way as his most famous hero, Arthur Conan Doyle goes to find out the truth, wishing to clear George, who has been unjustly accused, and to catch the real culprit. The novel “Arthur and George” is a blend of detailed historical research and the writer’s vivid imagination. Barnes explores not only the forgotten crimes, but also the inner world of his characters and the atmosphere of a bygone era. Events from a hundred years ago feel incredibly relevant, and the novel makes us ask ourselves anew what we believe, what we think we know for sure, and who we are. In 2005, “Arthur and George” made the Booker shortlist, and in 2007 it was shortlisted for the international Dublin Literary Award.