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The Trials of Rumpole cover art

The Trials of Rumpole

By: John Mortimer
Narrated by: Bill Wallis
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Summary

The irrepressible, audacious defence barrister Horace Rumpole whose court scenes are proverbial, and whose home is ruled by Mrs Rumpole, is back in these short stories by John Mortimer. The much loved stories were adapted from his scripts for the hugely popular TV series of the same name.

©1979 John Mortimer (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Trials of Rumpole

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A very enjoyable read

Where does The Trials of Rumpole rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It has become a familiar favourite, I have listened to this book several times.

What other book might you compare The Trials of Rumpole to, and why?

It is a good book, most of the other Rumpole books are as good.

Have you listened to any of Bill Wallis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

He is an excellent narrator and this book is as good as his other readings.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have done if I'd had time, but it splits easily into parts so I was able to listen in chunks.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book very much.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Trials of Rumpole

All John Mortimer's books in the Rumpole series are absolutely brilliant and the best ones are read by Bill Wallis, which this one is. These tales will make you laugh out loud and they are a good antidote for the winter blues!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A perfect voice for Rumpole

I love this title. The stories are witty and clever and Bill Wallis provides a perfect voice for Rumpole.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Nice

Although this is short stories there are threads through them that bring them together as a whole story. Great comfortable amusing read.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 05-01-19

Untroubled listening, mostly.

It’s clear Mortimer’s main character, Rumpole, is a self-styled maverick of the court-room. I wonder if he would have been thought of as liberal minded, then. Now, Rumpole’s voice is of its time. It all seems so elitist, sexist and racist at the Bar; presumably because it was (maybe still is). What does stand the test of time are not the unpalatable social judgements that are placed before the reader but Rumpole’s wit, his equanimity in the face of defeat and his objectivity.
Mortimer maintains the interest of the reader without challenging us and that is not a bad thing; entertainment rather than searching morality has its value, too.

The narrator is also great. Considering he had to follow in the shoes of the late, great Robert Hardy, his performance is different but distinguished.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

VERY ENJOYABLE BOOK

What did you like most about The Trials of Rumpole?

I enjoyed the stories and bill Wallace reading them it really was so like the way that Leo Mckern made Rumpole his own congrats to Mr Wallace.

What other book might you compare The Trials of Rumpole to, and why?

Any of the other Rumpole books

Which character – as performed by Bill Wallis – was your favourite?

the way he voiced She Who must be obeyed

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No not really

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Annoying reading voice

The narrator speaks in an annoying nasal voice throughout which is really grating. Had to stop listening.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not so great a narrator

Narrator of this book is not as good as Rumpole of the Bailey. the actor affectations sounds mumbly on occasion. but a good yarn

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Great read And engrossing plots as always . Rumpole is a wonderfully unique character
Thoroughly recommend

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent as always!

Why on why do I have to write 15 words if I want to be succinct..and just say thoroughly enjoyable ?!!

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