Description from the paperback edition I read...
Filth, in his heyday, was an international lawyer with a practice in the Far East. Now, only the oldest QCs and Silks can remember that his nickname stood for Failed In London Try Hong Kong.
Long ago, Old Filth was a Raj orphan – one of the many young children sent 'home' from the East to be fostered and educated in England. Jane Gardam's new novel tells his story, from his birth in what was then Malaya to the extremities of his old age. In so doing, she not only encapsulates a whole period from the glory days of the British Empire, through the Second World War, to the present and beyond, but also illuminates the complexities of the character known variously as Eddie, The Judge, Fevvers, Filth, Master of the Inner Temple, Teddy and Sir Edward Feathers.
Teddy Feathers acquired the name "Old Filth" when he was in Hong Kong. FILTH is an acronym for Failed in London Try Hong Kong. When it first came into usage, it was an insult, but later did not have that negative connotation.
The story begins when Teddy is living in Dorset with Betty, his wife. They are both in their late 70s and live a very isolated life. The story jumps around, from his childhood in Wales living with a foster family, to the years that he spends in boarding school and then prep school. When World War II starts, Teddy's father has him evacuated to Singapore, at the age of eighteen, which he finds mortifying. The story covers very little of his time working in Singapore and later in London.
My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Old Filth. Teddy Feathers is a wonderful character. He had a sad life, but the story is not depressing.
I will admit that the hopping around to various times in his childhood was confusing for me at times. Normally, I like that format of story telling, but in this case it may have been a problem because I did not have much knowledge of the time before World War II in the UK, and the relationships between the UK and various Asian countries. As usual, that makes me want to read more about the period (and any suggestions are welcome). There is a 2nd book, The Man in the Wooden Hat, telling the story from his wife's point of view, and I look forward to reading that.
I also want to try more of Jane Gardam's books. In an interview at the Guardian, from 2011, Gardam said "that's what all my books are about, the end of empire," and I think that would be interesting reading. If you have any to recommend, let me know.
I really liked this too! There are actually three books - one written from Feathers' point of view, one from Betty's perspective, and the third from Terry. My book group read the first two and I am not sure why we didn't read the third - we must have been distracted for some reason. I think I'd want a reread before I read the third book now. They are fairly short so not a difficult project.
ReplyDeleteConstance, This book would be a good reread. I might understand more of it on a reread. I knew about the third book, but wasn't sure who or what it focused on. At this point I plan to read all of them.
DeleteThis sounds interesting, Tracy. I do like when history is told through the eyes of individuals who live during those times (whether or not it's fictional). I think it makes those times seem more authentic and real. And it sounds like an effective way to explore things like the law profession, attitudes towards other groups, etc. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I also like to learn about historical times through reading fiction. It was a very good read.
DeleteI think I'll look up this author, in particular this book. It sounds interesting. The two James Hilton books I read for my first CC list take place in the interwar years. You might enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteKelly, Old Filth was very interesting and well worth a try. I looked up the two James Hilton books that you reviewed. I think I may have read Lost Horizon years ago, but even so it does sound like a good read for that time period. I was not familiar with Random Harvest but it also sounds good. Thanks for suggesting that author.
DeleteNovels about the end of the British Empire do sound interesting. He did have a sad life and calling him Old Filfth kind of cruel. I must check this author out.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I agree that such name calling is unfortunate, but he ended up with a good reputation. I plan to look into all of Gardam's books.
DeleteI've never read this author before; glad to know about her books.
ReplyDeleteLark, I think I had heard of Jane Gardam but never looked into her writing. At the time, it probably would not have appealed to me. I am glad I finally read this book.
DeleteAs an old lawyer I am not sure if I want to read a book about a sad old lawyer.
ReplyDeleteBill, I can understand that, but I am sure no one would ever think of you as a sad old lawyer. I actually wish the book had spent more time on his legal work or that world, but the focus was on his unhappy childhood and how he rose above that in some ways. I hope the second book covers more of his working life, even though the focus is on his wife.
DeleteIt would be interesting to read the next book from the wife's perspective and compare. I have not read Gardam but her "end of the empire" theme would be fascinating. Singapore would've been tough in WWII.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I am looking forward to reading that second book; I hope it will answer some questions I have and fill in more of their lives in Singapore. No matter what, I expect it to be a good read.
DeleteI'm really curious about this knowing there are other books telling the same story from different perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Ryan. After reading the first one I am eager to know more about the main character and his wife. The main focus in the first book is Teddy Feathers.
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