Rumpole is back with more cases at the Old Bailey. This time he is himself a defendant as his own chambers tries to have him served with an ASBO (Anti-Social Behavior Order) because he is eating, drinking, and smoking in his office. At the same time he is trying to gain a QC (Queen's Council) appointment so he can "wear silk."From Rumpole Misbehaves by John Mortimer, American readers can learn a lot about British law while laughing at silly characters like Samuel "Soapy" Ballard and Claude Erskine-Brown. Mortimer really is a lawyer, and in this new book he criticizes the ASBO for its excessive regulating of behavior. He is not alone, as the Guardian also reports on its misuse.
Of course, learning about British law is not the real reason to read Rumpole books, which have been coming out since the 1970s. Having read bunches of them, I simple enjoy the continuing story of the aging junior member suffering through the schemes of his wife Hilda (She Who Must Be Obeyed), defending the Timson family in court, and solving a murder case.
Libraries should add this new title to their collection of Rumpole books and DVDs.
Mortimer, John. Rumpole Misbehaves. Viking, 2007. ISBN 9780670018307
1 comment:
Oh gosh, an Anti Social Behavior Order. Genius. I hate to think how many of these I'd be in line for at work.
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