Rumpole for the Defence (Eagle Large Print) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

John Clifford Mortimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1993 | Series: Eagle Large Print

This collection contains seven tales about the Old Bailey hack Rumpole, and the various judges and oddballs he encounters.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''These stories are well-written, interesting and clever. The wide variety of characters are . . . given life and entirely appropriate voices by Frederick Davidson . . . This is an excellent production, sure to be savored by listeners and good enough to listen to again.'' --AudioFile --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

JOHN MORTIMER (1923-2009) was a playwright, novelist, and former practicing barrister. He wrote many film scripts, radio, and television plays, and his plays about Rumpole of the Bailey won him the British Academy Writer of the Year Award. He retired from the bar in 1984 and was knighted in 1998. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: John Curley & Assoc (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792716051
• ISBN-13: 978-0792716051
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,121,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Rumpole is Unique and Very Readable, February 22, 2012

By 

Ancient_Fossil (CA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: RUMPOLE FOR THE DEFENCE (Paperback)

It takes a while and some patience to become a Rumpole/Mortimer fan. On first reading one is struck by his egotism and self-absorption, his raw brashness, all his faults and admitted compromises. I will admit to even thinking about putting this book down. I'm very glad I didn't and I now admit to being one of his strongest fans and admirers.

Rumpole makes no excuses about taking objectionable points of views and defending the most audacious, reprehensible villains. He is not a particularly good husband and Hilda (SWMBO) has every right to be frustrated and disappointed. He admits that it's just a job, that without those evil doings he would be out of business. Yet he raises a very important point; like Cicero 2,000 years before, he believes it is an important mission to mount as good a defense as possible. One may take issue with Rumpole's view but it is important in a civilized society, and is what makes America and England different from Russia, China and many other third world countries. It is a matter that is impossible to argue against.

Where else would we be given license to explore the Old Baily and listen to screws, the underground culture and even pick up a few peculiar vocabulary gems?

And so we find Rumpole defending people who really have done wrong, and in one instance (which I won't ruin), he frees someone who actually committed a murder. It's all described very well with wit and typical British depreciation. Mortimer is an excellent writer, very entertaining and a joy to read. I recommend this book very highly.

3.0 out of 5 stars Rumpole for the Defence, April 8, 2007

By 

Greta Gebhardt "Greta" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rumpole for the Defence (Audio Cassette)

Rumpole for the Defence, as read by Patrick Tull, is great! Unfortunately Patrick Tull's readings no longer seem to be in circulation. The reader for this set of cd's has a grating voice which is hard to listen to. Ouch!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Old Bailey Hack is Back, September 3, 2006

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rumpole for the Defense (Paperback)

We again meet with the inimitable Horace Rumpole in this collection of seven short stories. We have our favourite old curmudgeon dealing with all kinds of things from blackmail to corrupt coppers to murder. I can't stress enough how enjoyable these Rumpole stories are. They are extremely funny, and Rumpole's dry wit emerges over and over again. And the other characters in each story are just as memorable. Even the villains are wonderfully unique. John Mortimer is a very talented writer, and I invite you to enter his wonderful world with Horace Rumpole "rising to his hind legs" for each of his orations in court "up at the Old Bailey".