Novelization of the first episodes of the TV series -- nothing new, different or expanded. ( )

not as good as i remember it ( )

Insigne defensor de las causas perdidas, Horace Rumpole es un abogado adorable, un hombre de altos ideales y de gran sentido común, que fuma cigarros malos, bebe un clarete aún peor, es aficionado a los fritos y a la verdura demasiado hervida, cita a Shakespeare y Wordsworth a destiempo y, generalmente, se decanta por los casos desesperados y por los villanos de barrio. Excéntrico y gruñón, lleva años abriéndose paso en las salas de justicia londinenses, mientras brega en casa con su terca mujer, Hilda, a quien él apoda «Ella, La que Ha de Ser Obedecida», en un particular universo donde el sarcasmo, el humor y la intriga se mezclan a partes iguales. ( )

Insigne defensor de las causas perdidas, Horace Rumpole es un abogado adorable, un hombre de altos ideales y de gran sentido común, que fuma cigarros malos, bebe un clarete aún peor, es aficionado a los fritos y a la verdura demasiado hervida, cita a Shakespeare y Wordsworth a destiempo y, generalmente, se decanta por los casos desesperados y por los villanos de barrio. Excéntrico y gruñón, lleva años abriéndose paso en las salas de justicia londinenses, mientras brega en casa con su terca mujer, Hilda, a quien él apoda «Ella, La que Ha de Ser Obedecida», en un particular universo donde el sarcasmo, el humor y la intriga se mezclan a partes iguales. Al modo de P. G. Wodehouse, John Mortimer construye en sus narraciones un universo demoledor y sarcástico al más puro estilo British.

This collection of six stories was published in 1978 and features the indomitable barrister Horace Rumpole as he faces a series of different crimes (and the odd divorce). Rumpole is a man of his times. He quotes poetry (Wordsworth and Keats) and Shakespeare, is a heavy drinker, smoker of small cigars, slightly misogynistic, and a man who is irreverent of marriage (he constantly refers to his wife as "She who must be obeyed") and irreverent of the law. Which is rather odd for a barrister (or lawyer, for those in the United States). He flies in the face on convention, is a man set in his ways, and enjoys rocking the boat. Rumpole would rather look for the truth rather than just serving the law, doing what he knows to be right even in the face of opposition.

Rumpole's flaws are what make him endearing (when viewed through a lens of history and remembering when John Mortimer wrote the character). The six stories in this collection cover a range of years from the 1960s to the late 1970s and follow in chronological order. Each is independent of the other, though Rumpole - a man who admittedly likes the sound of his own voice - often refers to his past successes. He serves to hold up a satirical mirror to the legal system in England focusing on the attitudes of barristers, solicitors, and judges. His willingness to jump in to seek the truth often involves him getting caught (figuratively) with his wig askew, though Mortimer does apply some Deus Ex Machina on occasion to both get Rumpole into and out of sticky situations.

I listened to the audio version read by Frederick Davidson who did an excellent job of bringing voice the the character of Rumpole and the other members of Chambers.

Overall I liked this book. It provides a wonderful glimpse into the world of English law from a time before computers and was written before a heavy shift to CSI-like police thrillers. Rumpole lives and defends his clients (he never prosecutes) by his wits and the occasional lucky break. If you enjoy a good legal thriller then I recommend Rumpole. ( )