Follows the story of two men locked in an adversarial friendship at school, through Oxford, and on to the competitive world of commercialism, success and marriage. Set in London, the novel culminates in a trial scene.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
John Mortimer is a playwright, novelist, and former practicing barrister who has written many film scripts as well as stage, radio, and television plays, the Rumpole plays, for which he received the British Academy Writer of the Year Award, and the adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited. He is the author of twelve collections of Rumpole stories and three acclaimed volumes of autobiography.
In an impressive performance, Mortimer ( Paradise Postponed ) presents a drama of ideas that is also an acute psychological study of different kinds of friendship. Philip Progmire, an Oxford-educated accountant with thespian dreams, has engaged in lifelong skirmishes with journalist Dick Dunster, one of those men whose stock-in-trade is scorn and who disbelieve everything on principle. When Dunster digs up what he believes is the dirt on Philip's employer and friend--a hideous legacy of WW II--Progmire is forced to make some terrible choices among truths, loyalties and responsibilities. Mortimer's writing is as smoothly readable as ever, and some of his scenes are uproarious, but his sense of character is much sharper, and less cartoonish, than usual: Sir Crispin Bellhanger is a convincingly drawn paragon of virtue, Dunster himself a thoroughly lifelike mixture of warped idealism and cruelty, Crispin's wartime companions superb studies in muddled slyness. There is a trial scene that is gripping but, oddly, not the center of the novel, and a thought-provoking, touching but not entirely unexpected ending. Even as the star of his Rumpole novels seems somewhat in decline (Fiction Forecasts, Oct. 5), Mortimer's gifts as a realistic novelist with a gritty strength to his storytelling are expanding. 50,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 6.39
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR010601348
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 48269455-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_392152478
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780670840601
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: MusicMagpie, Stockport, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. 1679246721. 3/19/2023 5:25:21 PM. Seller Inventory # U9780670840601
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0004189647
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780670840601
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 44908786-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Greener Books, London, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # 4637768
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The London Bookworm, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Reprint. Paperback. Message to previous owner to inside cover. Tiny slight crease to corner front cover. 'Mortimer writes with enviable freshness and retains the capacity to send the reader off at interesting tangents and elicit sympathies from unexpected sources.' (Sunday Telegraph). 296 pp. (We carry a wide selection of titles in The Arts, Theology, History, Politics, Social and Physical Sciences. academic and scholarly books and Modern First Editions ,and all types of Academic Literature.). Seller Inventory # 088875
Quantity: 1 available