Arthur & GeorgeArthur & George
Score Modern
What it's about
Two men grow up in late-Victorian England. Arthur is a doctor who becomes the famous creator of Sherlock Holmes. George Edalji is a shy, precise solicitor, son of an Indian father and Scottish mother, convicted in 1903 of mutilating horses in his village, a crime he didn't commit. When Arthur hears about George's case, he sets out to clear his name.
Why it's worth reading
It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Based on a true story, it's a thoughtful novel about justice, race and belief.
You'll love it if you liked
The Sense of an Ending
Levels of Life
The Hound of the BaskervillesGood to know
It's slow at first, with two separate lives before they meet.
By the numbers
- Readers2 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics32 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller7 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #116 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #551 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #1555 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2789 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Gripping
More by Julian Barnes
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The Help
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Shuggie Bain
Half of a Yellow Sun
Where the Crawdads Sing
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Quick answers
Is Arthur & George worth reading?
Yes. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It ranks #2,789 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 52.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Arthur & George about?
Two men grow up in late-Victorian England. Arthur is a doctor who becomes the famous creator of Sherlock Holmes. George Edalji is a shy, precise solicitor, son of an Indian father and Scottish mother, convicted in 1903 of mutilating horses in his village, a crime he didn't commit. When Arthur hears about George's case, he sets out to clear his name.
How long does it take to read Arthur & George?
About 11 hours (445 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Arthur & George?
If you liked it, try The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, Levels of Life by Julian Barnes or The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle.