Reading the 20th Century discussion

After the bout of enthusiasm for John Mortimer I conclude we need a dedicated thread. Here it is.

I've recently started....


Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer

I used to enjoy the television series with Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole back in the 1970s. Needless to say the book is very much in the same vein, with Rumpole defending a series of low life criminal types and indulging in plenty of wit and repartee whilst in court.

John Mortimer writes with the same deft touch as P.G. Wodehouse and is a consummate storyteller. Rumpole may appear to be grumpy and cynical however he is also an endearing and sympathetic character, and that is in a large part down to the splendid writing.


Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer

Judy wrote: "I love the Rumpole books and the TV series, great stuff. John Mortimer's other books are also great fun, such as Paradise Postponed, first in the Rapstone Chronicles/Leslie Titmuss trilogy."

Lynaia wrote: "I have a couple of Rumpole books on my shelves but have never read them. Never seen the show either. I’ll have to remedy both of those soon."

Jan C wrote: "I think I now have 4 (possibly 5) Rumpole books - all unread."

Storyheart wrote: "I really enjoyed John Mortimer's charming memoir on audio many moons ago: Clinging to the Wreckage: A Part of Life...so many moons ago that I think I listened to it on cassette."

Lady Clementina wrote: "I enjoyed Paradise Postponed as well but am yet to read the rest. "

I have also read Clinging to the Wreckage. According to GoodReads it was back in 2012.....


I picked it up in the library on a whim, informed by vague memories of Rumpole Of The Bailey on the television as a kid. I was very glad I did. It's very readable, honest, amusing and original.

It's wonderfully entertaining stuff

Click here to read my review

4/5

I am not sure why I haven't read the other three volumes of his autobiography yet.



In this spirited memoir John Mortimer, an esteemed barrister as well as novelist, playwright, and journalist, relates all the paradoxes and pleasures of his double life.With wit and style, Mr. Mortimer takes you from his unusual childhood (his father, a blind barrister, insisted that his wife read the sordid details of his divorce briefs in public) to the dilemmas of his life as a barrister (one of his clients indignantly declared, "Your Mr. Rumpole could have gotten me out of this, why the hell can't you!").

Filled with laughter and a sense of the absurd, , Clinging to the Wreckage makes it clear why John Mortimer has been called Noel Coward, P. G. Wodehouse, and Evelyn Waugh rolled into one.

I did start his Summer's Lease last summer. And noticed Titmuss Regained in my trunk full of books.

So far, I've only read 1.5 books by John Mortimer, but I am very impressed by what I have read. I'd say give his work a bit of focus and attention and you'll be well rewarded Jan.

I've just read a superb story in Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer - it's called Rumpole and the Alternative Society. Rumpole is in the west of England to defend teacher Kathy Trelawney, who is charged with selling cannabis to a police agent provocateur.

Really powerful, and a great period piece.

The stories in Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer are getting better and better. A really bitter sweet collection. The stories all seem to take place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As such, it is also interesting to note how much social attitudes have changed, but also how much remains unchanged.

Horace Rumpole is a marvellous character: something of a curmudgeon who regularly quotes poetry, talks with a rude wit, and enjoys inappropriate, occasionally even grotesque, humour. Although he's hard to love, he has a great integrity, and heartily dislikes hypocrisy and smugness. I'd certainly enjoy sharing a bottle of wine with him at Pomeroy's Wine Bar.

PS: I sometimes think I would be very happy just reading books set in the 1970s.


Reading Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer reminds me how much I want to read The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin by David Nobbs (1975-78)


According to a Guardian reader...

David Nobbs's The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin is hilarious from start to finish and boasts an undercurrent of poignant seriousness. I would urge anyone who hasn't read it to do so quickly and then watch the original TV series. Earwig.

Nicholas Royle, Manchester

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin....

Originally titled ‘The Death of Reginald Perrin’, this is the book that found national fame when David converted it into a TV series starring Leonard Rossiter. It tells the tale of Reginald Iolanthe Perrin, a senior sales executive at Sunshine Desserts, who behaves more and more strangely, until eventually he leaves all his clothes on a beach, goes off to lead a new life, but is drawn back to his old life and ends up marrying his wife in disguise.

I've just finished....


Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer

I absolutely loved it

Click here to read my spoiler-free review

5/5


Rumpole of the Bailey (1978) by John Mortimer

Inspired by all the Rumpole talk round these parts, I'm now underway with....


Rumpole on Trial (1992)


It's a collection of six stories featuring Rumpole

Bring it on

I love John Mortimer and Rumpole. Although they died nearly a year apart, I remember finding out about John Mortimer and Robert B. Parker's deaths on the same day and what a profound funk that caused!

When I went to London I was delighted to find that my tube stop was on the Gloucester Road!

Loving....


Rumpole on Trial (1992)

This collection of six stories embraces many of our favourite characters from 3 Equity Court: 'Soapy' Ballard, QC Philida and her husband, Claude Erskine-Brown, he of the wandering eye and thwarted ambition, along with other barristers, court staff, petty criminals and of course Mrs. R aka Hilda aka She Who Must Be Obeyed

So far Rumpole has dealt with devil-worshing children, Erskine-Brown's efforts to become a QC, dishonest toffs, a murderous drug dealing wife and many more

These are the stories in this collection

"Rumpole and the Children of the Devil"
"Rumpole and the Eternal Triangle"
"Rumpole and the Family Pride"
"Rumpole and the Miscarriage of Justice"
"Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson"
"Rumpole and the Soothsayer"
"Rumpole on Trial"

I'll probably finish them tonight

Plenty more to go, Nigeyb, for your reading pleasure. I'm pretty sure I've read all of Rumpole. The novels aren't as good as the stories and the last few feel like we can feel Mortimer's age, sadly, but Rumpole remains a delight. I can't help thinking how he would scorn events like the proroguing of Parliament, the Rwanda scheme and Partygate.

Thanks RC


I think it was Sid who compared him to Wodehouse in terms of perfect light relief between more weighty tomes

Spot on 🍻👏🏼🫡👨🏻‍🎤

I've finished....


Rumpole on Trial (1992)


This collection saves the best until last. Rumpole on Trial is a real corker with Rumpole facing, and even seeming to welcome, disbarment.

4/5

Review...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


I can't wait to get stuck into more Rumpole