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Arthur & George review
Dec. 1st, 2006 11:34 pmArthur and George by Julian Barnes was one of the books I randomly picked up at Waterstones a few weeks ago when my book pile was running low.
Throughout the first half, it exhibits several characteristics that would normally really put me off. It cuts between two seemingly unconnected storylines every few pages. The narrative is detached and distant from the events it describes, more like reportage than storytelling, rarely actually showing the characters playing out events and instead just explaining what happened as if from a later date. It also apparently arbitrarily switches between points of view and tenses, sometimes in the middle of a paragraph.
However, for some reason, in this book, all these things just work. The reportage makes it all seem much more credible as derived from real events, the rapid cuts create tension and interest, and the changing tenses bring emphasis to certain parts of the story.
In short, it's very well written, and utilises several technique extremely effectively to keep the reader engaged. The story itself is interesting and clever, and the characters are sympathetic in their ordinariness more than the extraordinary events that overtake them.
The very last section, which delves into spirituality and the paranormal, stood out as really not fitting in with the rest of the story, so I could have done without that bit. Otherwise, an excellent read.
Throughout the first half, it exhibits several characteristics that would normally really put me off. It cuts between two seemingly unconnected storylines every few pages. The narrative is detached and distant from the events it describes, more like reportage than storytelling, rarely actually showing the characters playing out events and instead just explaining what happened as if from a later date. It also apparently arbitrarily switches between points of view and tenses, sometimes in the middle of a paragraph.
However, for some reason, in this book, all these things just work. The reportage makes it all seem much more credible as derived from real events, the rapid cuts create tension and interest, and the changing tenses bring emphasis to certain parts of the story.
In short, it's very well written, and utilises several technique extremely effectively to keep the reader engaged. The story itself is interesting and clever, and the characters are sympathetic in their ordinariness more than the extraordinary events that overtake them.
The very last section, which delves into spirituality and the paranormal, stood out as really not fitting in with the rest of the story, so I could have done without that bit. Otherwise, an excellent read.
