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Old Filth

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Old Filth

By: Jane Gardam
Narrated by: Bill Wallace
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About this listen

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 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 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.

©2004 Jane Gardam (P)2015 Hachette Audio Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Fiction

Critic Reviews

"A magnificent, deeply moving and compassionate portrait of an era and a sentimental education. Please read it." ( Daily Mail)
"Beautiful, vivid and defiantly funny." ( The Times)
All stars
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If you could sum up Old Filth in three words, what would they be?

Deep, considered, authentic

What was one of the most memorable moments of Old Filth?

The whole book took me to be in a different place, a place of luxurious velvet drapes, deep pile carpets and shining antique furniture

What does Bill Wallace bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Bill is a genius. He doesn't just read this book, he embodies it and becomes the characters. He brought just as much talent and enjoyment to the book as the author did in writing it. In fact, I would probably not have read the book, it is in fact more enjoyable to listen to because of Bill's portrayals of the characters.

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

Yes, it was my constant companion for a week and then so was the next book

Any additional comments?

Gives a deep insiders view into the human psyche, and how the experiences we grow up with shape and form us in adult life. I did feel so terrible for Filth, Teddy, but he did not ever feel sorry for himself. I believe this book has made me think about life in without even realising it. Genius writing. So true, so authentic, more like a biography, I don't know how Jane Gardam got inside her characters so well.

Give it time to warm up!

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I had never heard of this book when I was inspired to chose it by an article in the Guardian. I knew little of Jane Gardam. Now I wonder, how can this be? I was transfixed by the characters and the story of a life that is assumed to be uneventful and is anything but. The writing is marvellous, sometimes electrifying, often funny. I loved the structure - gradually opening up the life and its many stories, like a bud opens into a flower. Bill Wallace’s reading is beyond faultless - sensitive, lucid, intelligent. I now want to read the others in this series.

A revelation

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Absolutely enjoyed every second of this story. One of the best ever. I am wondering if the narrator made it more enjoyable than reading the book. Every voice interpreted perfectly. I am so sorry to finish this audio book . Now want to read all Jane Gardam has written . Probably best for older readers but a revelation of how things were for the young. Those poor poor neglected children of the empire.

Wonderful

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This is a lovely book and possibly enhanced by the narration. Gardam’s gradual unraveling of the story was masterful. It was poignant without being melodramatic or overly sentimental. Wallace’s reading was also excellent. I often find narrators struggle to do different characters, especially the opposite sex, but not so here. Seamless.

Get ready to be transported

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A wonderful story woven in glorious language. Wallace’s narration brought characters to life and did justice to Gardam’s masterful writing. I’m tempted to listen to it again immediately.

Glorious language

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