Perfectly good sturdy Rumpole stories that I was sorry to learn I had already seen via tv. At least the last few were new to me.
SWMBO's description of Rumpole as "not nearly so unbearable when you lose" is quite good. ( )

Another set of stories from the memoirs of Horace Rumpole, Barrister at Law or, as he often describes himself, an Old Bailey hack.

Rumpole is a delicious blend of anarchist and defender of the old order. Always eager to deflate the narrow-minded pomposity of some of his fellow barristers at 4 Equity Court, such as the Head of Chambers, Sam Ballard QC, or the vague, opera-loving Claude Erskine Brown, he remains resistant to any attempt to modernise chambers life, even to the point of benign Luddism.

In this collection he has to contend with the ministrations of his doctor, who seeks to curtail his admittedly excessive consumption of fried food, cheap claret and noxious cheroots, and also finds himself appearing before his former protégée, Phyllida Erskine Browne, who has now been elevated to the Bench.

As ever, he generally prevails, armed with his Oxford Book of English verse (Quiller-Couch edition) and his ability to engage with the jury, despite the frequent ministrations of the Judge. After having read a few volumes of these stories, this latest dose may seem just like 'more of the same', but that is fine by me. ( )

What can I say? Classic plonk swilling, cigar smoking, cynical, yet heart-of-gold Rumpole in a series of legal predicaments and mysteries. Always fun, never too deep and yet, with a touching regard for the frailties of humanity. Just right when you want something that is gentle and funny but with a bit of underlying cynicism. ( )

Just arrived from Sweden. Kindly sent by my dear friend Bettie. Now should follow to.... ( )

Just arrived from Sweden. Kindly sent by my dear friend Bettie. Now should follow to.... ( )