- Paperback
- Publisher: Abacus (2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0099474581
- ISBN-13: 978-0099474586
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,279,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A gentle yet gripping story (I won't indulge in spoilers see reviewer below if you want your pleasure ruined) that describes the life of a distinguished judge taking the unpleasant consequences of his childhood and carefully unwrapping them to show how they have echoed and shaped his adult life. The book is at different times very funny but also very poignant and tragic. I think the great strength of Gardam's writing lies in her effortless understatement. Too many writers now either have nothing to say or else tell their stories with great big hairy signposts you can't fail to miss.
Engaging and intelligent without being obscure and all done in less than 250 pages - amazing!
Engaging and intelligent without being obscure and all done in less than 250 pages - amazing!
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Don’t be put off by the horrid title or by the fact that the main character, whose real name is Sir Edward Feathers, is frequently referred to as Filth, even by his loving wife: the nickname of this distinguished lawyer who had made his career in the Far East, stood for Failed In London Try Hong Kong. Otherwise no name could be less appropriate for this old man who is described as “spectacularly clean” and whose kaleidoscopic life story, in England and the Far East, this is. It would be a spoiler if I described it or the gaps in the story which the author leaves to our imagination to fill in.
The book and the characters in it are quirky, funny, sad, and touching; the touches of period flavour (ca. 1923 to 2002 - though there seems to be an error on the very last page) are spot-on; and Jane Gardam’ style is idiosyncratic, often staccato, but a pleasure to read. Her similes or descriptions are never hackneyed, never forced, but always fresh and arresting. I found the novel a real treat.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What marvelous characters! This book opens a whole world--the world of the Raj Orphans, those sent back to Britain from the farflung Empire between the two wars--and makes it come alive through the complex character of Edward Feathers, Old Filth. As he moves in and out of time, his experiences bring to the reader not only magically historical moments but characters so beautifully drawn their equals are rarely seen in modern fiction. From his best friend at school to the "Chinese dwarf" with whom he sails back East as a teenager to his mad cousin Babs, the cast of Old Filth's life turns out to be rich and quirky and not at all what many of his admirers might have guessed as they describe him as someone to whom "nothing happened."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
soft book named Old Filth
A really good price for a really good read. Came very quickly thru the post. It was in great shape. Thanks very much!
Published 1 month ago by susan
I must be a low brow
On the back of this book a fragment from The Times review describes it as "defiantly funny". Just what does that mean? Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nightwatcher
A must read
what a wonderful book about one of the many unpleasant consequences of Empire-Raj orphans. One old man, Filth, and don't be put off by his name as you will learn what it means... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Moses
What's the point?
My wife recommended this novel to me after having laughed out loud several times during her reading of it.I'm afraid that the odd smile was all that it raised in me. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Valentine Gersbach
Great read
Good read which kept ongoing interest in characters and story. Set in parts of life had no previous knowledge of, Raj Orphans and life of a Judge.
Published 8 months ago by Migber
Intriguing title & excellent read
I found 'Old Filth' whilst browsing for authors whose works were unfamiliar to me: the title was intriguing - 'Failed In London Try Hong Kong'. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Amy Page
Thoughtful, painful, witty
Recently read this for our book group. It was that rare thing - a book we all liked. The story of Eddie Feathers aka Old Filth and his life. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Lynne Rapson
What have I missed? (SLIGHT SPOILERS)
First of all I should start by saying, I did not read this book out of choice. It was chosen for my book group. Read more
Published 10 months ago by C. Rucroft
Wonderfully written, memorable novel
Despite being very funny in parts, Old Filth overall is quite a sad book. But a great and memorable read. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Inertia Diaries
Breathy
I kept hearing Jane Gardam interviewed on Radio Four, and I read her interesting short story which features the character Feathers. It won some competition I think. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Cloud Howe
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