Rumpole & the Man of God [Audio Cassette]

John Clifford Mortimer (Author), Leo McKern (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

Is the vicar a thief? It doesn't matter, the facts can't be used. Luckily, Rumpole's got other ways to sway a jury. Meanwhile, an old friend's fiancee is looking suspiciously familiar. But from where? Once more, John Mortimer lets Rumpole maintain his hilariously cynical commentary throughout ceaseless smoking, drinking and uncommon lawyering.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Dh Audio (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886468825
• ISBN-13: 978-0886468828
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,730,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marriage: "like pleading guilty without chance of parole.", February 2, 2006

By 

Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Rumpole & the Man of God (Audio Cassette)

Horace Rumpole, an English barrister known for his acerbic wit, his iconoclastic religious views, his straight talk, and his deference to his wife, "she who must be obeyed," is called upon to defend Rev. Mordred Skinner, a vicar accused of stealing six shirts from the haberdashery department of a local store. As one might expect, the meetings between Rumpole and his client are filled with wry humor, as Rumpole, seriously committed to defending his client while aware of the ironies of the case, shows his willingness to use every trick of the trade on behalf of his client.

With this case disposed of early in the story, author John Mortimer continues his focus on character, as Rumpole and his wife Hilda ("she who must be obeyed") entertain a fellow barrister, George Frobisher and his ditsy prospective bride, Mrs. Ida Tempest. Hilda's restrained sarcasm in the face of this clearly inappropriate bride, combined with Rumpole's attempts to keep the dinner from becoming too filled with little cooings from the lovebirds, make this scene and its aftermath a Mortimer classic.

The acting on this audiotape is outstanding, with Leo McKern personifying Rumpole, giving him just the right balance of dry wit and muted cynicism. As Rumpole revises famous quotations from Browning and other poets to illustrate his feelings, McKern's phrasing and perfect sense of pacing provide great humor and much amusement. Mortimer, an attorney himself, brings the British legal profession to life as Rumpole deals with crotchety judges, self-important fellow attorneys, and those who refuse to acknowledge that the law is supposed to bring about justice, not simply resolve cases. Filled with great characters and McKern's equally great acting, this audiotape will delight its listeners. n Mary Whipple

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love Rumpole, you'll love this!, October 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rumpole & the Man of God (Audio Cassette)

Nobody reads Rumpole like Leo McKern! I love John Mortimer's Rumpole and this tape was great. Even though the fun of Rumpole is in the writing and the play on words, Leo McKern makes Rumpole come alive.