Rumpole Rests His Case

John Mortimer wrote RUMPOLE RESTS HIS CASE after a hiatus of six years away from Rumpole stories. Taking into account the television scripts and the short story collections, Mortimer has been writing about this character since the late 1970s. And the one thing fans and detractors would have to agree on is that he is utterly consistent. Rumpole is the same charismatic, charming character. The plots turn on the same style of points of law, helpful coincidences and plonk-inspired deduction. The stories touch on the same themes of hypocrisy, humor and a certain humanity. And yet there's enough freshness to the stories, that even if you've read many or all of the Rumpole stories up to this point, you'll probably not get tired of this.In short, if you liked the earlier stuff, you'll like this. If you hated the old stuff, you won't find much to enjoy.Count me in with the fans. If I were to describe the tone of the experience of reading a collection of Rumpole stories, I think the best single word to use would be "comfortable." It's a horrible cliché to say, but I think this is one of the few cases where it's true to say that settling down to read a Rumpole collection really is like sitting down with an old friend.The short stories in this collection are mostly standalone although a few plot strands can be seen running through several tales. Rumpole's determination to keep smoking his small cigars in his office chambers will not be new to fans. The revelation of Soapy Sam's previous life as a punk rocker, on the other hand, is probably something that would have familiar readers taking a double take at. It's to Mortimer's credit that both the familiar and the new slot in very easily, and even things that would appear to be completely out of character still fit in.While the character of Rumpole has not aged appreciably since his introduction almost 25 years ago, the stories themselves are keeping up to date with several "ripped from the headlines" style plot lines. I appreciated seeing Mortimer's take on, say, asylum seekers placed right next to standard stories of Rumpole solving a murder.I hate repeating myself, but I think it bears repeating: if you've liked the previous Rumpole stories, then you're almost certain to enjoy these. The familiar atmosphere of the Rumpole tales is here, but there are enough differences to keep long time readers from becoming bored. And if you're new to the series, then this is as good a place as any to get started.

A final collection of Rumpole stories, some of which involve characters from his psst. Rumpole never obtained the silk of a Queen's Counsel (QC), but has a reputation for winning difficult cases (although not always). Very often he is working in the capacity called a Public Defender in the USA. The stories involve characters from Chambers, various clients, his wife Hilda, etc.The lead off story, "Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces," involves an invitation to spend Christmas with and old school chum of Hilda. This leads to some unexpected results as Rumpole becomes involved with some fundraising. A second case involves one of the Timsons, a disappointing member of their younger generation who is charged with a crime that seems beyond his abilities."Rumpole and the Remembrance of Things Past" involves a murder case, something where Rumpole normally excels."Rumpole and the Asylum Seekers" is a case involving an Afghani seeking refuge status in the UK. That is complicated by the fact that the refugee owes money to the "Tourist Agency" that got him into the country. All is not as it seems."Rumpole and the Camberwell Carrot" brings Rumpole into a case defending a Member of Parliament (MP) charged with drug use, and the tactics of a tabloid newspaper looking for a scandal. There is a side issue of a marital problem between Claude and Phillida, members of Chambers."Rumpole and the Actor Laddie" is a case involving an actor accused of stealing a ring, who seems more concerned with playing a scene than in defending himself."Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf" involves a teenager charged with harassing a young woman who is a fellow student. With a little help from investigator Fig Newton, Rumpole finds some unexpected information.The last story, "Rumpole Rests his Case," finds Rumpole in the hospital and advised to retire. But the next bed is occupied by a man accused of housebreaking, shot by the homeowner. Rumpole becomes involved, via investigator Fig Newton, in looking into the case.

I picked up this Rumpole book from John Mortimer after hearing about the series for a long time but never actually reading any of the books. Apparently, Mortimer has been writing about Rumpole since the early 1970s! This book was written by Mortimer after a 6 year hiatus of writing about Rumpole so fans of his from what I have read seemed quite happy that he chose to bring this character back into existence.The book is laid out as a series of six short stories; all about Rumpole who is a lawyer in England. Rumpole is portrayed not always in the best light--kind of frumpy and out of sorts and even a bit of a mad scientist type. He solves cases on behalf of his clients in not always the most direct of routes but in a way that exonerates his clients in a sometime surprising way. I enjoyed a few things about the book including the often funny up and back with his wife who is as sarcastic as it comes. I liked the story "Rumpole and the Asylum Seekers" the best as it both portrayed the difficulties of people coming from a foreign land trying to escape persecution but also had a real surprise ending. "Rumpole and the Teenage Werewolf" was also quite good. Overall a nice set of stories and it made me want to pick up a few more of the series so I can learn more about this very interesting character named Rumpole. .

Horace Rumpole has an encyclopaedic memory of his old cases and inevitably he comes across people he has defended from time to time. In the first story - Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces - two people he has come across in the past have cause to regret meeting his again. I particularly enjoyed Rumpole and the Camberwell Carrot in which Phillida Erskine-Brown finds an idol has feet of clay.I recall reading the last story in this book when it was first published and wondering whether the last story - Rumpole Rests His Case was actually going to be his last ever appearance. I thought his final speech to the 'jury' in that story was brilliant considering he had so little hard evidence to go on.Once again Rumpole displays his knowledge of human nature, his thirst for justice and his disinclination ever to plead guilty whatever the circumstances and never ever to prosecute. This is an entertaining collection of stories exposing the follies and foible of the great and the good and yet still making some serious points about the stupidity of the law at times. I have re-read the book many times and it loses none of its appeal.

The tales of such an author will always continue to maintain interesting and jovial reading The settings and charactars portraid are brought to mind in sduch a manner that one is encrossed to live the personnal and situation.From the social life of all parties. to the realistic situation brought to live on dubious charactors as well as the funny side of the judiciary involved. Well written and can br brought to life at any time in ones own situation. A must to keep and continue to enjoy for the future days.

Every so often I have a go at finding one of the Rumpole books my husband hasn’t got. It’s great to find the odd one he hasn’t got in his collection.

Realistic characterisation and comfortably familiar setting of the English legal system. Every word of dialogue brings Leo McKern to mind and his masterly portrayal of Horace Rumpole's wisdom and skill.

Intelligent, entertaining, witty and charming, reminding us of the times when an educated person had to know classical languages and civilized behavior. Also, of the times when the author is always on the side of minorities, criminals, and those who are considered to be the meek of the Earth. We were not aware that the deserving are not always meek, that minorities can become majorities, and that building a civilization may take centuries, while destroying it can be a matter of decades.