The Trials of Rumpole

By: John Mortimer

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Horace Rumpole—who never prosecutes, whose fame rests on an infinite knowledge of blood and typewriters, whose court scenes are proverbial, whose home is ruled by Mrs. Rumpole (“She Who Must Be Obeyed”)—is back on the defense, as irreverent, as iconoclastic, as claret-swilling, poetry-spouting, impudent, witty, and cynical as ever.

This time the judge-debunking barrister-at-law is embroiled with a minister accused of shoplifting, an actress accused of murder, and a racist candidate for Parliament, with art theft and mistaken identity thrown in for good measure. The result is a delightful excursion into hidden corners of the British judicial system, served up in typically colorful Rumpole style.

Stories include: "Rumpole and the Man of God", "Rumpole and the Showfolk", "Rumpole and the Fascist Beast", "Rumpole and the Case of Identity", "Rumpole and the Course of True Love", and "Rumpole and the Age for Retirement."

©1979 Advanpress, Ltd. (P)1993 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Rumpole has been an inspired stroke of good fortune for us all.” ( Daily Mail, London)

Another good yarn!!

Horace Rumple is grumpy and somewhat surly but underneath all that is a heart of gold. I have enjoyed learning about the British courts through the eyes of this old barrister with a poet's. The book is basically a collection of short stories about the cases he takes on. I plan to read more in this series in the future.

I like the Rumpole stories...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

but I really prefer Robert Hardy's performance. Having said that, I will listen to this book again. This is the second collection of Rumpole stories, and if you enjoyed the first book, there is no reason you won't like these. because Horace Rumpole is here in all his subversive glory! A true advocate, Rumpole believes that every defendant is entitled to a vigorous defense, even if they are a member of the Timson clan. To that end, he continues to actively resist the efforts of his wife and fellow members of chambers to become a judge, "take silk," or retire: he wants to continue to be "Rumpole of the Bailey:" drinker of plonk, smoker of cheap cigars and wearing of disreputable hats!

A favorite of my youth

My father turned me on to the exploits of Horace Rumpole on PBS when I was in my late teens/early 20s. As much as I loved the character, I think it was the performance of Leo McKern that really brought that character to life for me.

Therein lies my only criticism of this book. While the performance is first rate, it isn’t Leo McKern. If you haven’t seen the show on TV though, you won’t miss it.

Great collection of stories!

incredibly humorous and entertaining

fantastic reading, fantastic writing, funny irony, and the quotes from the great English poets had so much to the humor and the pathos of the rumpole story

A pompous and exaggerated actor ruins the story

I like Rumpole, but was completely turned off by the pompousover-acting. The actor exaggerated every Edward intern of speech, it was unpleasant to listen to, and entirely squashed the gentle irony of the story