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Old Filth
- Narrated by: Bill Wallace
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
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Old Filth
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Summary
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.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 19-06-24
The gradual revealing of a touching and poignant story
At the beginning Filth sounded quite a dull character and then as the story was revealed I was drawn into his world. I had no idea how children born to Parents living in far flung countries of the empire were treated. Heart breaking as aspects of the story served to draw you into his world in a way that confirmed a warmth for the character and a recognition as the story unfolded of how his relationship to others was affected by his early years. The slow revelation of his childhood experiences and how his life progressed from these early experiences was done so naturally that it almost felt that the insights that dawned on him were revealed to you at the same time. An amazing act of story telling beautifully laid out.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Clare
- 22-07-17
Purpose??
This book looks back at the life of an old barrister and judge as he comes to the end of his life, so prepare for jumping around in time and location, and only having answers to some questions posed at the beginning resolved at the end.
The narrator was great. I easily listened to this through a number of car journeys, but would probably have been frustrated if I'd read this as a book, ie dedicating time and effort especially for this. The end result feels like, life is pretty pointless. There seems to be no reason put forward by the author for life, or a moral of sorts, so felt a bit empty by the end.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lord Emsworth
- 11-05-18
Superb
Wide ranging, beautifully written and narrated. A history of the twentieth century. You’ll fall in love with Old Filth.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- mollyeyre
- 10-02-18
Lovely Tale of an Interesting Life
I did enjoy this story, it was really well crafted to keep us guessing about various oarts of Old Filth's life, I loved the character of Filth, and it was a joy to follow him through his often sad life. I don't usually read this type of book which was, I suppose, like a biography, but I did find it held my attention and I did not want to put the book down.
I do like the way that Jane Gardam writes - the story isn't forced upon you - it gently unfolds.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cabby
- 06-06-23
Thoroughly good read!
Old Filth is a fascinating character and so clever the way the puzzle pieces of his life are revealed.
Narration was brilliant and absolutely convincing.
Jane Gardam is a favourite author for me now
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tina
- 24-04-21
Brilliantly told story of the Raj orphans
Really interesting era set during the end of empire before the second world war. Very well read and very well told.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr. Anita Houghton
- 20-11-20
A wonderful book, beautifully read
This is a touching, interesting and often funny book, about a generation of Raj orphans, children who were sent to Britain by their parents and brought up by strangers. It is read with perfect nuance, tenderness and humour by bill Wallace.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- kate
- 17-10-24
Beautifully written
The narrator is one of the best if not the best I've listened to. Thank you so much.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tessi
- 22-11-16
My favourite audio book
What made the experience of listening to Old Filth the most enjoyable?
After at least five years, this is still my favourite audio book, along with A Thousand Splendid Suns.
A lovely story and very well read.
What did you like best about this story?
Everything
Have you listened to any of Bill Wallace’s other performances? How does this one compare?
His best
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It's like a warm hug from an old friend now
Any additional comments?
Try it - you really won't be disappointed
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janet
- 24-01-18
Very enjoyable reminiscences and life story
Bill Wallace does an excellent job of portraying Old Filth and revealing his past life. A story gently told despite the terrible events of Feathers' young life. Events unravel in a subtle, gradual way and you can feel desperately sorry for the young boy while at the same time understanding Old Filth's lack of emotion in the living of his later life, and the telling of it. I felt quite close to Teddy in the end.
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1 person found this helpful