Welcome to Litsy!

This could have been a pretty standard novel about a man in his 80s reflecting upon the life he's lived during the 20th century, except for the careful craft of Gardam. Old Filth's story ping pongs around the past and present, hitting on small moments that make the man. Not till the end does the full picture come together. Confusing at times but eventually I just trusted all would be revealed, and it was. A deftly-written character study.

Tragic with comic touches, impeccably written, of emotionally paralyzed judge, a relic of empire. His childhood is based on that of Rudyard Kipling and other Raj orphans. Unexpectedly moved me, looking forward to reading rest of trilogy. “Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.”

DNF'ed at 150 p.
Couldn't get into this story... The construction of this novel is weird and story becomes boring...
Interesting fact - in my native language (Lithuanian) the title of this book is “Flawless Man“ :D

Read a few weeks ago ... it‘s a book that although I wouldn‘t have thought it would, has stayed with me and keeps popping back into my thoughts .... interesting, a mans life as he gets older and is retired ... how his life has unfolded from birth in Malaya on wards ..... I dont think I‘d read more of this series but fascinating anyway 📚📚😊😊🌺🌺

#NewYearNewYou Day 9: Not sure if there is a #CosmopolitanMC in this new series that I bought while in the US. But the book covers seem to suggest they are a good fit. I couldn‘t resist Europa Editions and how lucky that the entire series is available on sale.

#7days7covers #covercrush Day 7

"It was Eddie's fate always to be left. Always to be left and forgotten. Everyone gone, now. Out of his reach."

A magnificent, tragic, comic book and Jane Gardam is indeed an 'exquisite' writer.
I highly recommend it.

"I think that we should forgive history almost nothing."

Ohhhhh nooooo - Tiramisu is NOT trifle

Still in California, driving towards Arizona, I was reading "Old Filth", wondering who would live in that heat, when my husband pointed out that we had just passed Felicity, California, population 2.
Found an article about it and surprisingly, it's an interesting place:
https://weather.com/travel/news/felicity-california-center-of-the-world

Someone had posted a similar sign on Litsy, can't remember who, thought it was funny but had never seen it, neither in Texas nor Michigan and then we came to California :)

Started reading Old Filth and since it's my first book by Gardam, I read a few articles on her work. Enjoyed reading this and wanted to share:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2015/sep/22/jane-gardam-w...

I can read a rainbow. #rainbowstack #riotgrams

Waiting for a delivery and reading this gem!

1. Old Filth by Jane Gardam
2. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (talk about bleak)
3. Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
4. Nothing springs to mind, although I‘m sure such a book exists in my past

@Tove_Reads

Much hyped in the Netherlands at the moment but worth it. Reminded me a bit of #Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day.

A strange little gem of a book. The eponymous protagonist isn't entirely lovable, but it's hard not to sympathize with the hardships he endures (there are many) and to feel for him as he struggles to navigate old age and a changing world.

Today's book speed dating candidates, all purchased​ at a used book sale. Before they go on my shelf, I decide if I will actually read them!

This trilogy features Sir Edward Feathers, an eighty year old widower living in Dorset. After WW II, he became a lawyer who made few friends but many enemies. He's a cranky old curmudgeon detailing a sometimes humorous and occasionally sad life. Each book represents a different point of view, from Edward, his late wife, and his nemesis. Such different perspectives would be interesting to see as a movie. #thisshouldbeamovie #SeasonsReadings2016

Gardam has created an unforgettable character in Old Filth, the upright but troubled aging barrister. Gardam's writing is rich in personality and it's difficult to tear yourself away from the emotional and complex depths of her world. Perfect for fans of A Gentleman in Moscow and The Patrick Melrose Novels.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON USED BOOK HAUL #7 of 7

I listen to podcasts to fall asleep, and in the wee hours of the morning yesterday I half-awoke to hear somebody talking about this novel; I can't for the life of me recall which podcast it was but it felt like fate to see this on the store shelf later the same day!

What an oddly titled yet wonderful book. "Nothing happened to him. Nothing but success." Old Filth, legendary barrister, reflects back on the traumas and triumphs long gilded over by his life's success. "Old person looking back" can be a tired trope, but Gardam's narrator's memory is a prism, his reflections illuminating small, nonlinear scenes that slowly reveal the arc of a life. The ending was so strong, I clapped.

Just starting ...

It reminded me of Stoner. Though it wasn't Stoner. Which made me sad. But also happy that a book reminded me of Stoner.:) I would've wanted more stuff about how Old Filth became a legend at the Bar, but I loved the other little reveals about his relationships.

Been a while since I was here, but I kind of missed it.:) Also, while I was admiring my stack of galleys, I'm pretty happy to be reading something that wasn't published very recently. Enjoying Old Filth so far. Charming, funny, and partly set in Asia, so there's that.:)

I missed some stuff during my audiobook and checked out a physical copy after that to try and catch up. Don't think I did that too well, but that's okay. I can always try again later.

"Life ends. You're tired of it anyway. No memory. No desire. Yet you don't want it to be over. Not quite yet."