'Rumpole, like Jeeves and Sherlock Holmes, is immortal' P. D. James Horace Rumpole - dishevelled barrister at law, drinker of claret and smoker of cigars, inveterate quoter of Wordsworth and eternal defender of the underdog - is one of the greatest English comic characters ever created. This is the original volume of Rumpole stories, introducing us to the legal triumphs that first made the Old Bailey Hack's name, along with a host of choice villains, frequent forays to Pommeroy's wine bar and, of course, his formidable, ...
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'Rumpole, like Jeeves and Sherlock Holmes, is immortal' P. D. James Horace Rumpole - dishevelled barrister at law, drinker of claret and smoker of cigars, inveterate quoter of Wordsworth and eternal defender of the underdog - is one of the greatest English comic characters ever created. This is the original volume of Rumpole stories, introducing us to the legal triumphs that first made the Old Bailey Hack's name, along with a host of choice villains, frequent forays to Pommeroy's wine bar and, of course, his formidable, magisterial wife Hilda, She Who Must Be Obeyed. 'I thank heaven for small mercies. The first of these is Rumpole' Clive James 'A fruity, foxy masterpiece, defender of our wilting faith in mankind' Sunday Times
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John Mortimer, a retired barrister (lawyer), offers to take us into the mysterious world of British law. He spoofs the silly, pompous and ego-inflated lawyers he knows while trying to save his defendant from the gallows.
He makes fun of ?She Who Must Be Obeyed? and adores his son Nicholas. When in the presence of ?She Who..,? Horace Rumpole feigns obedience while sharing with the reader what he REALLY thinks.
If you are looking for some short stories that have flash and/or somber drama, look elsewhere. However, readers who give Rumpole time to spin out his tale will be rewarded with wry wit and a fun look at the British legal system from the inside.
I would much rather read a single story vs. several short stories because there, by necessity, is little character development. However, in Mortimer?s 21 Rumpole books, he keeps his cadre of cronies. Thus, over the course of a few short stories, we learn the ?modus operandi? of the secondary characters ? warts and all.
What I love about Rumpole is that he is so irreverent ? he?s willing to lampoon anyone, including himself. He likes to come across as a foolish oaf; however, watch him harpoon the opposition with clever tactics and a sharp mind. He brings the ?Old Bailey? to life.
Ferg
Feb 6, 2009
First collection of Rumpole stories...
Rumpole of the Bailey is the first (1978) collection of Rumpole stories by John Mortimer, including 'Rumpole and the Younger Generation,' 'Rumpole and the Alternative Society,' 'Rumpole and the Honorable Member,' 'Rumpole and the Married Lady,' 'Rumpole and the Learned Friends,' and 'Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade,' all classics. It was first published in paperback by Penguin, but I was lucky enough to obtain through Alibris a copy of the 1991 hardcover trade edition published by the Armchair Detective Library, who also put out a collector's edition and a limited edition. All are out-of-print as of this writing (2009); however the stories are also collected in The First Rumpole Omnibus (Penguin, 1984), which is still in print in paperback. Begin at the beginning with 'Rumpole and the Younger Generation,' which introduces the characters in the series. Americans may face a bit of a learning curve brought about by the British legal system and the street argot of Rumpole and his clients, but trust me, it's worth it. Delightful!
