I was saddened to read that John Mortimer died on Friday. His Rumpole short stories and novels have provided me with many hours of entertainment and much food for thought, and I am very sorry that there will be no more. In wake of the news, I went back and read an 2003 interview with John Mortimer in Tasting life twice: Conversations with remarkable writers by Ramona Koval. Of Rumpole, Mortimer said:
“Geoffrey Robertson said Rumpole had changed the law. I’m not quite sure whether he wasn’t claiming a bit too much for him. I thought of Rumpole basically because I wanted a character to keep me alive in my old age, like Maigret or Sherlock Holmes or something. But I also wanted to write about all those great principles, which I do believe in- and which are being so terribly attacked by this government, among other disgraceful governments- of being tried by your peers, the presumption of innocence, that the police shouldn’t invent more of the evidence than is absolutely essential. These principles aren’t respected by politicians, who really want to take over everything into their own hands, and they’re not really at the top of the list of the general public, but they’re kind of kept alive by criminal barristers. They go around some rather unsympathetic courts upholding these great principles, and so I did also want to say that lawyers aren’t all rich, fat cat liars. They do serve a useful purpose.”
As a law student who hopes to follow Horace Rumpole’s example, I applaud that and urge anyone who hasn’t yet read John Mortimer to give him a go.
13 Comments
19 January, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’ve never read John Mortimer but will have a look for him now that you mention him. Any recommendations for a good place to start?
20 January, 2009 at 8:26 pm
A devoted law student? Hmmm, well Horace Rumpole is an excellent role-model. We’ve watched most of the TV episodes and they’ve become part of the shared family discourse – “she who must be obeyed”, Chateau Thames Embankment, the golden thread etc. My dad (who is a judge) has definitely learned a few tricks from Rumpole of the Bailey.
21 January, 2009 at 11:35 am
Having only seen Rumpole on TV, I’d nearly forgotten there were books! Thanks for this, and RIP Mortimer…
21 January, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I have never read him but I remember a television program. I would have thought he had been for many years. He must have been quite old.
21 January, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Litlove- I’d start with Rumpole of the Bailey, the first book and a very good one!
Pete- Like yourself, in my family the catchphrases are often used. I think he is a good and realistic role model for law students.
I love the TV show as well.
Candy- John Mortimer was 86 so yes old but I was hoping he’d be alive and writing for another decade.
31 January, 2009 at 7:49 am
Sarah I am almost finished with Julie and Julia (review probably tomorrow). Thank you so much for recommending it. I am loving it and it is hilarious.
31 January, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I haven’t read any of these books either. I need to remedy that. I’m glad I found your blog! It’s so nice meeting new people through books.
31 January, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I’m always glad when a book recommendation is well received Candy, I look forward to your review.
Thanks for stopping by Lisa, it is good to meet new people via book blogging and I hope you do read some Rumpole someday.
5 February, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Fantastic author, and what a character. Anyone who hasn’t read ‘Clinging to the Wreckage’ might like to start there.
10 February, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I’m checking on all my Australian friends to make sure you are okay with the fires raging. Please let me know.
11 February, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hi Candy, fortunately I’m in Sydney and am fine. I’m not feeling much like reading or blogging at the moment though,as the news is devestating.
11 February, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Thanks for letting me know. I have no knowledge of Australia’s geography and I don’t know where anyone is necessarily. Glad you are okay but I agree the news is devastating.
16 February, 2009 at 11:27 am
I’ve never read any of the Rumpole tales, but have heard good things about Mortimer, which your recommendation bears out.