Books of the Month

'Old Filth' by Jane Gardam

FEBRUARY 2006

Jane Gardam’s one of those writers I’ve always meant to read, but haven’t got round to, so I’ve been delighted to have got off the mark at last this month with Old Filth, her most recent novel.

The book introduces us to the life of retired barrister and former judge Sir Edward Feathers, or Old Filth as he’s often known (the nickname comes from his alleged coinage of the term ‘Failed in London Try Hong Kong’). Through a cleverly constructed plot which moves backwards and forwards in time, we join him as he reminisces about his life from the insecurities and infirmities of old age. Contrary to what others seem to believe, his life has been full of event, adventure – and secrets. Gardam’s skill is to keep us guessing at a core secret which is then revealed to be not such a secret after all. I enjoyed having my (all too obvious) suppositions about what would be revealed disproved several times as the book went on.

As well as being brilliantly written, the novel displays its author’s prowess at describing vastly different surroundings (the Malay jungle, Wales, Oxford, Singapore, etc), and her sensitivity to the subtleties of eccentric characters grappling with the various disappointments of modern life.

Enough of a page-turner to keep you hooked until the end, Old Filth is also a novel which will remain with you long after The End.

Susan Tranter

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