Julian Barnes: Arthur and George

Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.

Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel. The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections. Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage. The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.

The novel follows Jane Eyre from her childhood at Gateshead Hall, where she is mistreated by her aunt and cousins, to her education at Lowood School, and later her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she falls in love with her enigmatic employer, Edward Fairfax Rochester, but discovers a dark secret about his past that forces her to make a difficult choice. The novel explores themes of love, independence, and social justice, and is known for its realistic portrayal of the inner life of a woman during the Victorian era.

The novel is narrated by Tony Webster, a retired man who recounts his adolescent friendship with Adrian Finn and his early romantic relationships. The story is divided into two parts: the first part describes Tony's teenage years and early adulthood, while the second part delves into his attempts to retrieve Adrian's diary, which forces him to reevaluate his memories and the truth about his past. The book explores themes of memory, history, and the inaccuracies of personal narratives, highlighting how our perceptions of the past can be flawed and subject to revision over time.

In 'Flaubert's Parrot', Julian Barnes crafts a unique narrative that follows Geoffrey Braithwaite, a retired English doctor, as he delves into the life of Gustave Flaubert. The story revolves around Braithwaite's quest to identify the authentic stuffed parrot that inspired Flaubert's story 'Un Coeur Simple'. The novel explores various aspects of Flaubert's life, Braithwaite's own reflections on his wife's death, and themes of subjectivism, the nature of biography, and the complexities of artistic creation. The book is characterized by its non-traditional narrative structure, blending elements of biography, fiction, and personal memoir.

Julian Barnes's novel 'Arthur & George' intertwines the lives of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and George Edalji, a solicitor wrongly accused of a crime. The story delves into themes of identity, nationality, and the pursuit of justice. David Edgar's stage adaptation brings this gripping tale to life, highlighting the intersection of reality and fiction.