The Best of Rumpole [Hardcover]

John Mortimer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rumpole | Publication Date: November 17, 1993

The lovable, irreverent, claret-swigging, Wordsworth-spouting criminal lawyer returns to the fray to fight new battles against injustice. Stories such as "Rumpole and the Younger Generation" and "Rumpole and the Showfolk" are included. Rumpole is featured in an ITV series.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1st edition (November 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670849782
• ISBN-13: 978-0670849789
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,628,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touch of wry British humour, and starkly genuine.., June 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best of Rumpole: Chosen By the Author (Paperback)

Mortimer paints a realistic picture of life in a barristers' chambers, but lightens the solemn and sombre mood with the playful descriptions of the characters to whom you will become strongly attached in time.

Even though for one who does not hail from an English background, it was relatively easy to comprehend the sarcasm and ironies aimed at the empty follies of the English legal practioners, which Mortimer portrays through the thoughts and words of Horace Rumpole. Rumpole is a good sort, who seems often the underdog, but deep down he is the barrister who would be the champion for the unjust.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sampler of great stories, March 14, 2002

By 

R. Riis "rriis" (NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Rumpole: Chosen By the Author (Paperback)

Well, yes, a strong case could be made that these stories represent the Best of Rumpole, although Rumpolemaniacs must argue for a few omitted cases, but, great as these stories are - and they are engaging, clever, funny, satisfying - I don't know what the purpose of this sampler is meant to be. To introduce Rumpole to a prospective reader I would start with The First Rumpole Omnibus. It addds much to the pleasure of reading Rumpole to get to know him as he develops over the course of the original stories. On the other hand, this makes a terrific airplane or travel read, even for those who've read them all before (Rumpole is one of those characters that not only holds up well read after read but actually improves with familiarity).

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any of the Rumpole books could be on a '10 Best' List, March 13, 2000

By 

Frank Cunat - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Rumpole: Chosen By the Author (Paperback)

If you were introduced, as I was, to the Rumpole character through the excellent PBS series, there's a treat in store for you. John Mortimer's Rumpole stories are almost too good to be true; they're witty, humorous, and can be enjoyed as examples of good writing in addition to being well-plotted mysteries. They're one of the few mystery series which don't lose enjoyment even after you've seen the film adaptations. My favorite Rumpoles are probably Rumpole a la Carte and Rumpole on Trial; this "Best of" compilation features stories, chosen by Mortimer, from several different eras, including Rumpole's very first appearance. The book is a good way to get acquainted with Rumpole, and it also makes a great gift.

The only possible downside is that, after reading the Rumpole stories, you may think that Mortimer's other fiction doesn't *quite* measure up. Here's hoping he decides to bring back Rumpole!