bluey

I picked this book up on a whim, as it served as bookshelf decor in the house I was staying at, along with plenty of other books stamped with something-or-other prize finalists. As such, I went into it blind, not reading the summary, or at least not properly. I didn't realize it was historical fiction until I was far too invested, something that served to the book's credit: quite an excellent dramatization with compelling prose if it took my two braincells reading the name Sherlock Holmes to put two and two together. The first half, or maybe first two quarters, left me quite entertained and wondering how the titular Arthur and George's paths would end up intersecting. I'm not familiar with the case this is based on - again, I didn't even realize this was historical fiction until way far in - and found the descriptions of it gripping and easily followed by those clueless, AKA me. The section describing trial proceedings is quite possibly my favorite in the entire book. George is an incredibly likeable protagonist, I found him charming and easy to root for, along with all of his family and what's described of his personal life. Of course, George is portrayed as this sort of perfect victim, one that Arthur is righteously offended on behalf of, so it's no surprise that he's lovely to read about. Where I feel this book falls flat is an over-emphasis on Doyle's personal life, teetering on the edge of melodrama for large parts of it. It's quite a shock to attentively turn pages after depictions of George's prison life, fully engrossed, to have to slog through Doyle's woe-is-me feelings about cheating on his dying wife. I think it does the book a disservice to focus so much on this, as plainly, it weighs down what's otherwise a good premise. This is not a book planting itself as Doyle's biography, it purports to be about him *and* George, but the inclusion of so much of his personal life as an adult pre-George is ill-fitting and a slog. Don't misunderstand, I understand why this is the case: Arthur just has far more about his life written and documented than someone faded into the annals of history like George, and I do feel like the author makes an attempt to keep the attention given to them mostly equal. It's a losing battle, and I commend the author for trying anyways. I also commend him for bringing George's name and story to the limelight, even if in a fictionalized version, and I do feel - again, as someone not familiar with the case - that he treats him with respect. Still, the last third or so of this book really is rather dull. The parts where Doyle's doing his sleuthing bring excitement immediately undercut by more feelings about his soon-to-be-wife. Still, mostly everything related to George and to Arthur *and* George is gripping and interesting, and I do think the ending scene was very powerful and good, as was the "where are they now" afterword. I read this for free in a day to kill time and it served excellently for this purpose.

timeless 10/10

One of the books that made me cry in 2024. It's got a lot going for it: a deeply flawed, deeply likeable main character, really really interesting thoughts on martyrdom and *especially* how it relates to culture/heritage/history, is written very beautifully, and has some interesting conversations about being suicidal. I read this during a dark time in life, and while I wouldn't really recommend it, it certainly amplified a lot of emotions I was having/the writing was trying to produce and most definitely skewed my enjoyment of it towards the positive as it was talking about feelings I struggled to write about properly. So big props just for that, gift a copy to your depressed friends if you want to see them go through a lot. Like other reviewers, I found the ending lackluster and brought down the whole book with it, though Orkideh's story was very beautiful. Truthfully, when I finished it I thought it was one of those books that would stick with me for a long time.. but at the end of the month, I was very close to having to consult my notes app to remember I read it. Moreso a fault of my terrible memory. The reason I didn't have to is because of what I believe is the actual highlight of this book.

I read a lot of good books or at least books I liked in 2024. Out of all of them, my favorite (or at least top 3) character would have to be Zee. He is absolutely delightful, a wonderful side character that feels so... human, for lack of a better word. My favorite chapter (p. 217 in my copy, Brooklyn day 3) is my favorite because of him, and every scene he's in was, to me like how it was to Cyrus, a much needed wake-up call. Somewhere along the way I started relating to him more. Bless the Zees of the world.

This book could've been 300 odd pages of Frankie being witty and bantering and I would've loved it just the same. The plot is interesting, sure, and I think the mystery develops well and has a satisfying conclusion. That being said, this book wouldn't have stuck with me the way that it did if it was just a well-written, interesting mystery: our main characters are darling. Frankie and Bobby have an excellent dynamic, and though I wish they had stayed platonic friends I was even aww-ing along to their romance at the end. Frankie, especially, is quick-witted and funny and a total pleasure to read. I'm not saying the book is carried by her in its entirety... but she does do a lot of heavy lifting.