It was a sad day when I read John Mortimer’s Rumpole Misbehaves knowing it is likely the last Rumpole work that will be published. I’ve read all the Rumpole books over the years. I’ve watched the brilliant Leo McKern portray Old Bailey barrister Horace Rumpole in the PBS series. Mortimer’s character is witty, curmudgeonly, and absolutely devoted to the practice of law and justice. Rumpole’s wife, Hilda (aka, She Who Must Be Obeyed), plays a much larger role in the last half dozen books as Mortimer allows her a voice–and a chance to dump old Rumpole for an admiring Judge. For readers wanting to discover the delights of Rumpole’s courtroom antics, I recommend The Best of Rumpole. And, if you’re as entertained as I am by John Mortimer’s creation, you’ll end up reading all of the Rumpole Canon, too. GRADE: B+
I’ve read all the stories but have the last couple of novels still to read. I don’t want them to end, either.
I had the same sad feeling when I read the last 87th Precinct novel, Jeff. The end of a great series is a terrible thing.
The only thing I’ve read by him was a book called Summer Lease or something like that–many years ago. Maybe someday soon.
The Rumpole stories, especially the early ones, are funny and droll and clever, Patti. They would delight you!
The Rumpole fiction, stories and novels, are WONDERFUL. Not to be missed! I loved the series with McKern, and will always see and hear McKern as Rumpole when I read the stories. I think I may have some holes in my Rumpole collection, and I wasn’t aware of this book, so I guess it’s time to add “read Rumpole” to the to do list.
I also highly recommend VOYAGE ‘ROUND MY FATHER by Mortimer.
You’re right about the Rumpole stories, Rick. And John Mortimer’s other novels and memoirs are well worth reading, too.
I’m holding off on this last one. I put off the last Agatha Christie for a year and a half.
Another author to be re-read in 2010!
I know how you feel, Beth. Reading the last book in a series is always painful for me. I delayed as long as I could before I read Rumpole Misbehaves. I still have a couple other non-Rumpole John Mortimer books to read, but I’ll wait a few months for that.
Rick, years ago (well before Rumpole) we saw A VOYAGE ROUND MY FATHER on stage in London. I think the original father was Alec Guinness (and Jeremy Brett was Mortimer!) but we saw Michael Redgrave as the father.
The film version was Laurence Olivier and Alan Bates.
You’re right, Jeff. John Mortimer wrote for the stage, for TV, and for movies in addition to his novels and short stories. I’ve liked everything I’ve read of Mortimer’s work.
Summer’s Lease is the title Patti meant, according to Wikipedia.
He also wrote Paradise Postponed, which was made into a good tv serial.
In 2008 I read a dozen or so of his plays, about half of which were one-acters.
(That isn’t the same as ‘one actor’.)
😉
I have a bunch of John Mortimer’s plays, but I haven’t read any of them yet, Jeff. But they’re on the Read Real Soon stack.
Speaking of putting off an author’s end of series book, I’ve been doing that with the last few Cadfael books. I think it’s time to remedy that and just go ahead and enjoy them.
I’ve read about half the Cadfael books, Rick. Of course, I have them all. But it helps to be in the mood to enjoy a medieval murder. Have you tried Michael Jecks’ medieval mysteries?
They’re mostly early stuff, no Rumpole, but they’re short and readable.
I just marvel at the range of John Mortimer’s writing, Jeff. And most of it is high quality.
Ah, George, you forget so quickly what I review for the apa in my ‘zine. At your suggestion there, after reviewing many of the Cadfael books, I read the first Jenks’ novel. After reading it, I wasn’t as impressed as I am with the Cadfael, but upon later reflection liked it well enough to get the next two or three, which have an honored (read “dusty”) spot in the TBR bookcase. I’ll get back to Jecks one of these days. Just now I’m getting close to finishing up the first Detective Inspector Chen novel by Liz Williams (published by Night Shade Books), Snake Agent. As you might expect from Night Shade, it’s a combo cop/fantasy/horror novel.
Sorry, I forgot, Rick. You’ll see my review of SNAKE AGENT on Wednesday.