Rumpole And The Younger Generation [Paperback]

(2 stars) With this as the first story in the Rumpole series, it is surprising that it became the huge success that it did. Written for those "who like myself have found in British justice a lifelong subject of harmless fun," Rumpole reminisces about an early case, which took place long before the time of the telling. The oldest member of his chambers, Rumpole tells about representing Jim Timson, the sixteen-year-old son of Fred Timson, part of a "huge and industrious family of South London villains." Jim has been arrested for robbery, one of a group of youths who stole an attaché case containing the week's receipts for a local business. Jim was the only one caught. His family swears that he was watching TV with them at the time, but Peanuts Molloy, a boy from a family that the Timsons despise, claims that Jim confessed to the crime while in a youth center.

Rumpole will eventually make a career of defending the Timsons for all manner of crimes, with the Timsons holding him in high regard for his honesty and cleverness. In contrast to Jim Timson is Rumpole's own son Nick, introduced here as a young school boy who finds reading books about sociology very exciting, suggesting that he may not follow in his father's footsteps. Rumpole and Hilda (She Who Must Be Obeyed) have had a long marriage, at this point, though the nature of their courtship remains a mystery, and her father, the barrister C. H. Wystan is getting ready to retire as Head of Chambers. He hopes Rumpole will take his place. In the meantime, Rumpole's rival, Guthrie Featherstone gains his silks--and more attitude than ever.

Establishing the continuing set of characters, their dynamics, some of the rivalries at the Old Bailey, Rumpole's constant violations of protocol, and Rumpole's tendency to quote Wordsworth at appropriate (and inappropriate) moments, the story feels like an introduction, rather than a complete and self-contained unit. None of these elements are developed, and little tension and less excitement are evoked. The case involving Jim Timson is solved by the halfway point in the story. Far more effective as a television series, which allows a good actor like Leo McKern to show the kind of expression which is lacking in this prose, this first story is more interesting as a curiosity than as an end in itself. Though I love the Rumpole series, this episode is one of the weakest of all. n Mary Whipple

Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders
Rumpole and the Angel of Death
Rumpole & the Man of God
Rumpole Misbehaves
Rumpole's Return
The First Rumpole Omnibus

› Go to Amazon U.S. to see the review  2.0 out of 5 stars